Arlene M. (Birkenkamp) Woods' Obituary
Arlene M. (Birkenkamp) Woods, age 94, passed away on August 16, 2025 at the Springs of Wyandot Trail Memory Care from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Arlene was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio where she first met her future husband, Robert (Bob) E. Woods, in the 8th grade, when he started escorting her home from school. She graduated from the University of Toledo and married on August 29, 1953. Bob and Arlene lived in Columbus and Toledo during the early years of their marriage. As Bob worked on his divinity degree at the University of Chicago Theological Seminary, Arlene taught junior high special education classes. After raising her children, she would later teach junior high or senior high English. Arlene supported her husband in his career and consequently moved frequently, living in Toledo, Columbus, Lima, Dayton, Cincinnati and Westerville. She and Bob eventually built their home in the resort community of Hideaway Hills in 1996 after Bob’s retirement in 1995.
Arlene was exceptionally skilled at sewing, needlepoint, knitting, crochet and cross stitch; she enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, painting and was an avid reader and musician, playing the piano and organ. She and the family travelled extensively throughout the United States as the children were growing up and travelled internationally to Europe and South America during retirement. Arlene took an active part in the work of the church as well, serving in various leadership capacities in the United Methodist Women, in addition to leading study groups, Adult Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School; and acting as church organist. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega for over 75 years, Delta Kappa Gamma (Teacher’s Honorary), AAUW, PEO, Twig and the Dayton Woman’s Literary Club.
Above all, Arlene loved her family and valued the planning and attending of family gatherings. She leaves behind her husband of 72 years, Robert E. Woods; daughter Karen and son-in-law Kinsley; son Doug and daughter-in-law Linda; grandson Jason and wife Bridget; granddaughters Erinn and husband Sebastian and Meghan and husband Josh and 4 great grand-children.
There will be a private family service to celebrate Arlene’s life. Our family especially thanks those caregivers from both FairHope Hospice and The Springs, in Lancaster Ohio, for their great care and support they provided to Arlene and her family.
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