Mary Alice Fortune Wood, 99, of Centennial Apartments, formerly of Philadelphia, NY, passed away, Sunday morning, December 31, 2023 at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, NY.
Born August 10, 1924 in Gouverneur, NY, to Pearl Rosanna Bouchard and John Leo Fortune and she graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1944.
She married Gerald Wood in 1944 and they operated a farm in Antwerp for many years.
She is survived by four daughters Carole Ann Rudes, Philadelphia NY, Linda Mary (Theodore) Thomas Watertown NY, Susan Alice (David) Shaffer Hastings NY and Sally Jo (Daniel) Zurenda Watertown NY; her grandchildren, Bryan Rudes, Amy Rudes (Gifford), Jennifer Rudes (Ehrig), Corey Covell, Dana Thomas, Aaron Shaffer, Ashleigh Shaffer (Simmons), Logan Gundersen and Kelsey Gundersen; step grandchildren, Christina Shaffer, Jessica Shaffer (Hanley) and Jeremiah Shaffer; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, who all loved her very much.
Alice had many jobs in her early years growing up in Gouverneur from babysitting, working at the local theaters and JJ Newberrys. Her favorite job was being a school bus driver at Indian River Central School where she enjoyed the all kids that rode her bus #42 and #68.
She enjoyed reading, playing cards with her daughters and friends, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles on her computer, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and spending time with family. Everyone enjoyed listening to all her stories about her life growing up.
She is preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Marjorie Fortune Sands, Marion Fortune Evans, Elizabeth Fortune Palmer, Catherine Fortune Morrow, and a son-in-law, Keith Rudes.
Her daughters would like to say a special Thank you to our aide Kelly that has helped to take care of Mom and provided much support for us. Also, a special Thanks to our previous aides, Jesse, Maureen and Charlotte, Mom loved all of you!
Thank you to all the staff at Samaritan Medical for all the kind support and compassion you gave us and our Mom.
Services were at 11:30 am, Monday, January 8, 2024 at Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa, NY, with Rev. Frank Natale of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Evans Mills, NY, officiating. Calling hours were at 10am to 11:30 am, prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Child’s Falls Sunrise Cemetery, Philadelphia, NY.
Donations may be made to the Indian River Ambulance Service, PO Box 245, Philadelphia, NY 13673.
To leave condolences go to www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com and access the obituary. Click on the Tribute Wall located at the top.