Mary 'Marlene' Wood, 75, passed peacefully with family by her side on Monday, October 24, 2022.
Marlene was born January 28, 1947 in Lafayette, LA to Lionel and Olite Arceneaux. She was a beautiful, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will continue to live in the hearts of all whose lives she touched.
The beloved daughter of a WWII veteran of 22 years of service, Marlene spent her childhood moving to many locations and attending various schools. This influenced her ability to form special, lasting friendships and family bonds and shaped her into the strong, passionate woman people knew her to be.
Marlene married her devoted husband, Glenn 'Woodi' Wood, in 1966 and soon after they moved to Savannah, where they began their family. Marlene was a loving, dedicated mother to her two daughters, Jennifer and Denise - instilling the values that were important to her and spending many hours volunteering at schools and activities that the girls loved. In addition to raising her family, Marlene worked full time at the business she and Woodi began together in 1975, Coastal Canvas.
Marlene had a knack for entertaining - always in the kitchen cooking delicious meals for family and friends and enticing them to join her in her love of dancing to her favorite Cajun and oldies music. She was also gifted in convincing others to enjoy a shot or two with her. No one could match her energy in the kitchen or on the dance floor.
She also cherished her years on the water and in the mountains, including sailing, her enthusiasm for deep sea fishing and her time sitting on the dock watching activity on the Wilmington River. Marlene and Woodi spent many years at their home in Jackson Hole WY where she couldn't get enough of the hiking and taking in the amazing views. Most of all, time spent with her grandchildren and her great-grandson brought much joy and pride to Marlene. They all loved the endless hours and energy she spent playing with them throughout the years.
Those who knew Marlene, knew of her lifelong battle with cancer and that she was a survivor. Her own experiences led to her passion for supporting and inspiring others diagnosed with cancer, including co-founding a wonderful cancer support group and speaking personally to anyone who reached out to her for help.
Those family members left to carry on her spirit are her husband, Glenn Wood; her two daughters, Denise Sutter and her husband, Scott, of Scotts Valley, CA and Jennifer Wood of Savannah; her grandchildren, Alex Sutter and partner, Max Dapkus, Jackson Sutter, Avery Baughman and Nicolas Sutter; her great-grandson, Daniel Dapkus; her sister, Annelise Petry and her husband, George; her nephews, Josh Petry and his wife, Michelle, and son, Eli and Zach Petry and his son, Jamie.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her dear sister, Phyllis Arceneaux and her devoted aunt and uncle, Louise and Vinton 'Pete' Arsement.
A celebration of Marlene's beautiful life will be held from 2 until 6 o'clock Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the Savannah Yacht Club - 730 Bradley Point Road, Savannah, Georgia 31410.
Remembrances may be made in Marlene's honor to the charity of your choice.