Carol Ann Wood (née McCarthy)

Jan. 30, 1946 - Sept. 4, 2026

Carol Ann Wood, née McCarthy, passed away peacefully at Bruns House in Alamo, California, on September 4, 2026. She was surrounded by the peace and gentle care she so deserved after a difficult final stretch. She was 80 years old. Carol was born in 1946 in Evergreen Park, a suburb of Chicago, and spent her early years moving between the cities that would always hold a piece of her heart — Chicago and Cleveland. She carried the warmth and directness of the Midwest with her for the rest of her life. In her thirties, Carol made her way to California, where she met James "Jim" Wood. The two married in 1979 and, in 1984, settled in San Ramon to raise their family. Once her children were in school, Carol went back to school herself, earning her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill. She went on to practice for many years as a therapist specializing in addiction and rehabilitation; this work reflected her lifelong gift for helping people find their way back to themselves. When Jim was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Carol stepped fully into the role of caregiver, moving the two of them to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, a vibrant 55+ community in the heart of the Bay Area. She did this to keep him close to his doctors and see to his care herself. She stayed by his side until his passing in 2019. Though heartbroken, Carol slowly found her footing again, and in many ways grew into a fuller version of herself. She deepened her friendships with neighbors, made her home her own, and discovered new joys such as drawing and gardening. She moved a large desk to the front window of her living room so she could sit in the daylight and sketch the birds outside. Ever passionate about politics, she contributed to the Democratic Party by writing letters and making phone calls for causes she believed in. But above everything, Carol loved her family, especially its newest members. Those who knew her best say she was never happier than when she had a baby in her arms. Her nieces and nephews remember her taking them to pick out their first backpack, or to see their first movie, and the way she made every one of them feel singularly special. When her first and only grandchild, Amelia, was born in 2012, Carol spent countless hours and days caring for her in those early years. Carol's closest friends knew her as someone who could listen (really listen) in their hardest moments, with an openness that felt both nurturing and comforting. Carol will be remembered for her healing presence, her spicy opinions, and, perhaps most of all, for her smile and her unmistakable, contagious laugh. Carol is survived by her son, Michael Wood; her daughter and granddaughter, Sarah Wood and Amelia; and her sisters, Susie McCarthy and Sharon Dean. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wood. A memorial service will be held at a later date, once the family has had time to grieve and plan a gathering worthy of her memory. Details will be shared when they are set. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support dignified end-of-life care in her name (GoFundMe Donation Link: https://gofund.me/2f59d5cca). Carol’s last days were spent at the Bruns House in Alamo, California. Nurses and staff there cared for her in the most gentle, peaceful way in her final days. The family is forever grateful for this haven for Carol in her final days and moments.