Maurine Woods, 88, of Tucson, Ariz., died Jan. 29, 2021, of complications from COVID-19 at the Tucson Medical Center hospice house. She was born June 27, 1932, to Albert and Anna (Miller) Neufeld on the farm that her grandfather homesteaded near Hanston, Kan.

She was baptized as a teenager and became a lifelong member of Hanston Mennonite Church. She graduated from high school in Hanston. She attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., graduating in 1955 with a bachelor of science degree.

She worked at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., from 1955 to 1962 as secretary to the assistant dean of medical students. From 1962 to 1966 she worked as secretary to the associate dean for medical students at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City. There she met her future husband, Alexander Hamilton “Sandy” Woods. They were married in 1967 in Tucson at Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church.

In Tucson she worked as secretary to the chief engineer of the Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak Observatory from 1966 to 1980. She attended Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church until she no longer was able. She spent many hours keeping their house immaculate and caring for the surrounding yard full of trees, shrubs, flowers and native desert growth. She and Sandy enjoyed the company of their beloved adopted stray cat “Fifi.” They also enjoyed golfing for many years.

Survivors include two nieces, Marilyn (Lee) Brockmueller of Freeman, S.D., and Dolores (Vern) Jantzen of Plymouth, Neb.; two stepdaughters, Lyda Woods and Andrea Woods, both of Medford, Ore.; a special nephew, Arthur Hollinsworth of Dallas, Texas; and special friends Vern and Judy Russell of Tucson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sandy, in 2008; and two sisters, Arlene Stucky and Lois Neufeld.

A private family gravesite committal service will be held later at Hanston

Mennonite Church. Memorials may be made to one’s favorite charity.

Remembrances can be left at the Adair Funeral Home – Avalon Chapel, Oro Valley, website.