Roselind “Rosie” May Davis Wood, 89, passed away on September 9th, 2026 at Masonic Village in Sewickley. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, the Reverend Rodgers T. Wood. She was born in New Kensington on May 9th, 1937, a daughter of the late Walter E. and Myrtle (Slonaker) Davis. Rosie was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania and graduated in 1955 from Indiana High School where she made many life-long friends. She met her husband, who was a DJ for WDAD, at a local sock hop. They married in the summer of 1955, and before long embarked on a great adventure, moving 29 times during their marriage. She loved being a homemaker and mother. With a heart full of love, she made many friends wherever she lived and became the favorite mom and Nanny to a host of children who passed through her doors. She was a devoted Episcopalian who was active in all aspects of church life. In midlife, Rodgers left a career in radio and television and she became his partner in clergy life well into her seventies. They served first at St. Phillips Church in Moon Township, then Christ Church in the North Hills. In retirement, they spent many years in interim parishes. She was the rock and loyal protector of time off, insisting they have a place to get away. They found rest and relaxation and made many wonderful memories in their homes, first at Long Beach, North Carolina and then at Alpine Lake in West Virginia, well into retirement. As a strong advocate for supporting clergy families, Rosie formed an on-line ecumenical support group for clergy spouses in the 1990s called “Neither Fish Nor Fowl,” which grew into a vital and active nationwide group. She spoke at many church conferences about the importance of supporting clergy families and stayed active in this endeavor for many years.
She is survived by her loving and devoted family: her daughters, Melanie Wood (Beth Hines), Jennifer Wood (Robert Steffes), and Heather Wood (Mark Ring), her grandchildren: Alison Popivchak (Pete), Michael Bennett (Daniel Curtis), Lindy Lerner (Jonathan), Taylor Hale, and Casey Hale (Sarah Landers); as well as her great grandsons, Samson and Bohan Popivchak, her sister, Darlind J. Davis (Chuck Taubersmith), her brother-in-law, Geoffrey R. Wood and her nephews, Mitchell Wood (Gary Collins) and Stephen Wood (Robin Powell). Her family is deeply grateful for the skilled care and loving comfort that our dear Felicity Steffes and the remarkably devoted staff at Masonic Village provided for Rosie in the last year of her life (you all were her favorites!). They also feel blessed by the enormous generosity of spirit that the members of St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church in Sewickley have shown them and especially for providing Rosie with a supportive church home that showered her with love.
A service in celebration of her life will be held at St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Road, Sewickley, on Sunday, October 3rd, at 11 A.M. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to St. Brendan’s Family and Friends Fund, 2365 McAleer Road, Sewickley, PA 15143, www.stbrendans.org/bff-fund
The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Towsnhip is in charge of her arrangements.