A woman of faith with many other interests
MELROSE — Maribeth Linnea Wood Ocock passed away Friday, Oct. 3, at her home in Melrose. She was surrounded by her family at the time.
She was born on Oct. 30, 1960.
Maribeth, having fought a 12 year battle with brain cancer, raised her children, Esther, Ethan and Samantha, by home schooling them through to college and life. She also worked for her church, The Vineyard Community Church of Saugus.
She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Brian W. Ocock; daughters Esther and Samantha; son Ethan and daughter-in-law, Patricia; her father Albert D. Wood; step-mother Sherry Wood; mother Charlotte Ferguson; brother Jeffrey Wood and his wife Rhonda; sister Jennifer Barnes and her husband Joseph; nieces Anja and Marissa Barnes and step brothers Scott and Michael Chew. Her cherished in-laws are father-in-law, Raymond H. Ocock, sister-in law Alison Turpel and her husband, Jeffrey; nieces, Claire and Margaret Turpel,; brother-in-law Kevin and nieces, Meagan and Jessica Ocock and nephew Patrick Ocock.
Maribeth, a courageous, loving and determined mother dedicated her life to raising her children and managing her home always with a heavenly goal in mind.
She was a talented artist, fantastic cook and a dedicated exerciser with her “gym-buddies” at the Melrose YMCA.
She was an avid reader and was also recognized by her friends as a woman of practical wisdom and determined strength. She loved her time with family and friends and found great relaxation and peace with her family at a summer home on Silver Lake in Madison, N.H.
Maribeth grew up in Boxford and Tuftonboro, N.H. Maribeth was a graduate of Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro, N.H., and the University of New Hampshire with a degree in art history. She also attended the Wentworth Institute and was a drafter for the Raytheon Corporation before raising children.
She was the wife of Brian Ocock, chorus teacher at the Masconomet Regional Middle and High School of Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton, with whom she toured on several music trips abroad as a companion for the director and chaperone for students.
A woman of many talents and crafts, she inspired many others to live life in a way that would be pleasing to God. She is already missed greatly.
Visiting hours were held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 9, at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose. A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Wakefield on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The National Brain Tumor Society where a fund has been set up in Maribeth’s name: National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St., Suite 200, Newton MA 02458, www.braintumor.org 617-612-6662.
To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com.
