It’s been almost 11 years since Regina Hearn’s son graduated from Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, but she remembers clearly how Deborah Wood addressed the Class of 2013 that day.

Wood, then assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, uttered just one word to the students – “beloved.” She told them it summed up what they meant to her. Hearn says the “profound” moment was characteristic of Wood, who was known throughout the NFA community for her warmth, humor and kindness.

Now Hearn and other members of the school community are mourning the loss of Wood and her husband, Stephen Wood Sr., who died in a fire April 4 at their home in Upper Dublin Township. Their son, Stephen Wood Jr., an NFA middle school teacher since 2020 who was living with his parents, escaped the fire. The younger Wood and his two sisters are NFA alumni.

Middle school students, faculty and staff gathered Monday morning for a prayer service for the Wood family at NFA, which comprises two campuses in Chestnut Hill. The independent Catholic school serves students in preschool through eighth grade.

In a letter to members of the school community last Friday, the president and principal of NFA wrote, “The magnitude of this tragedy is overwhelming and deep for our extended Norwood-Fontbonne family.” Deborah Wood had worked for the school for 18 years prior to her retirement in 2015.

The letter described Deborah and Stephen Wood as “dedicated and deeply involved NFA parents” who volunteered in many roles. Stephen Wood Sr. chaired many events, including the school’s legendary Snowball Tournament – a weekend of basketball games and other activities for the NFA community.

Hearn said, “Mrs. Wood was the kind of person who would do anything for you.” She recalled a day when her son, then a seventh grader, needed a ride from one campus to the other. She called Wood, who assured Hearn that she’d arrange for a ride. When Hearn’s son got home that day, he told his mother that Wood had picked him up herself in her white Mercedes. 

“She was the face of Norwood-Fontbonne,” said Hearn. “Her husband was a quieter force, working behind the scenes.”

Wendy Ewing, whose twins, Michael and Eliza, graduated from NFA in 2012, said Deborah was “a huge part of my children’s lives.

“Deb was wonderful,” said Ewing. “She was kind but not overly pious. She was always good for a quip. Her humor was always inclusive. You know how some people can make a room roar and everyone’s in on the joke? That was Deb.”

Ewing said that when her daughter was going through “that terrible phase in middle school when girls grow teeth and claws,” she met with Wood, seeking parenting advice. 

During that difficult time, “Deb embraced all of my daughter,” said Ewing. Wood assured Ewing that her daughter would be OK and recommended that she pick up the book, “Get out of My Life But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager.”

When she heard that Wood had died, Ewing called her son and asked him to call his sister with the news. “I didn’t want them to hear about it on TV,” Ewing said. Michael had last seen Deborah Wood at an engagement party for one of his classmates. 

“She was an amazing mentor and advocate for every kid,” said Michael Ewing. “She had the ability to make every single student feel competent and respected at a time when your self-esteem isn’t fully formed. She cared about what you had to say, what you thought and how you felt.”