Mildred D. Woodward

A kind, gentle soul has passed leaving our hearts aching with grief. Mildred D. “Millie” (Engelbrecht) Woodward, 95, a longtime resident of Westford, died peacefully, Monday, June 19, 2023 surrounded by her loving children. Never having an unkind word to say, she taught all of us to see the good in people. She loved to celebrate the good times and her family was her everything. Time spent being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the happiest moments in her life. She was the beloved wife of Robert G. “Bob” Woodward, who died in 2006, to whom she was married for 55 years.

She was born in Chicago on September 1, 1927, daughter of the late William and Marie (Hughes) Engelbrecht. She attended Chicago schools, graduating from Calumet High School.

Millie was employed for many years in the Westford public schools as a “lunch lady.” Prior to her retirement, she was employed for 16 years with Sentry Insurance Company in Concord. However, her proudest role was that of being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. Millie was an active member of the Westford Boosters Club while her children played sports in high school. She was also a loyal fan of all the Boston sports teams and enjoyed watching the games on TV. In retirement she and Bob often traveled to South Carolina and Florida enjoying visits with family and friends at the ocean, where she would walk the beaches for hours.

Her survivors include three sons, Timothy and Mary (Makos) Woodward of Westford, Daniel Woodward of Tyngsboro and Terry and Winny (Doherty) Woodward of Townsend; three daughters, Maribeth and Michael Rose of Florence, SC, Patrice and Francois Chassagnade of Westford and Maureen Woodward of Westford; 16 grandchildren, Katherine (Edward) Bleakley, Christopher (Catrina) Rose, Andrew and Evan Rose, Alexis (Will) Bentz, Jessica (Alex) Blagojevich, Timothy (fiancé, Yovanny Henningsen), Michael and MacKensie Woodward, Julie (fiancé, Michael Kimmel) and Jon Woodward, Ashley (Chris) Malone, Ryan and Aya Woodward, Stephane and Isabelle Chassagnade; 10 great-grandchildren, Brady and Brooke Bentz, Jordi, Rylee and Tristan Blagojevich, Vivienne and Teddy Bleakley, Emily and Julia Malone and Liam Rose; her sister, Mary Lou Hayes of Chicago; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Mercedes Flaherty and Lois Arnold; sister-in-law of the late Howard Hayes, Joseph Arnold and George and Philip Woodward and grandmother of the late Madeline (Howard) Woodward.

Relatives and friends are invited to Millie’s Funeral Mass on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 10 AM at Blessed Trinity Parish - St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 N Main Street, Westford. To view the Funeral Mass live, please visit https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/8871381931. Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 1:30 PM in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Buzzards Bay, MA 02542. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Millie’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.