Margaret M. Woodard | Social worker, 88

Margaret McHaffie Woodard, 88, of Medford, a retired social worker who dedicated herself to volunteering during retirement, died Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Virtua Mount Holly.

After moving to Medford Leas, Mrs. Woodard had been an active volunteer in South Jersey, her family said.

For several years, she helped counsel grieving families at the Samaritan Hospice in Marlton. Mrs. Woodard also served on the editorial board of Medford Leas Life and was president of the Residents Association for one term.

"She was always reaching out to people," said son Charles.

She was born in Missoula, Mont., and raised mostly in Los Angeles. She graduated from high school in 1940 and received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1944.

In that year, she married Charles Woodard Jr., whom she met in college. In 1953 the couple moved to New York.

Mrs. Woodard went back to school after her children were grown and by the early 1970s had earned a master's degree in social work from the Bank Street College of Education and New York University.

As a social worker for different agencies, Mrs. Woodard helped developmentally disabled and emotionally disturbed children.

She retired in the late 1980s, her son said. She and her husband moved to Medford Leas in 1995.

In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Woodard is survived by daughters Kathryn Cain, Melissa, and Deborah Buzanowski; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister.

A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Holly Room of Medford Leas.