Angela "Reb" Woodhead

Angela Woodhead, lovingly known as “Reb” passed away on February 13, 2023, at the age of 85 surrounded by those she loved so dearly, her husband and children.

Reb attended St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, MD, earning a B.S. in Nursing. In 1955, while attending the college, she met Joseph (Joe) Woodhead and they married in 1959. Reb then worked as a nurse at the VA Hospital in Philadelphia as Joe completed Veterinary School while simultaneously starting their family.

Reb and Joe were more than husband and wife, they were best friends; a dynamic team, pursuing their dreams to building a beautiful life together. Reb played an integral part in the startup and growth of Cokesbury Equine Clinic, co-founded by Dr. Max Sponseller and his wife Anne; becoming the largest equine veterinary practice in the lower Delmarva Peninsula. Reb worked tirelessly to do all she could to help the practice succeed. In the early days of the practice she was the bookkeeper as well as the radio operator for the mobile practice. The large CB radio was a permanent fixture in her kitchen, as she balanced coordinating veterinary business and meeting the demands of a busy household raising her children. To further support the practice, she operated the Large Animal Anesthesia Machine, becoming a valuable member of the surgical team.

For over 25 years, Reb and Joe were actively involved in presenting Marriage Encounter Weekends, an organization dedicated to helping couples strengthen their marriage. During this same time period they provided marriage preparation for the Diocese of Wilmington.  Both Reb and Joe were Eucharistic Ministers for their parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Seaford, DE.

Reb and Joe were truly inseparable; they did everything together. They particularly enjoyed waterfowl and quail hunting.  Reb has told the story about getting her ears pierced so that other hunters would know she was a girl when she was dressed in her hunting gear. Reb was a bit of tomboy but her femininity was radiant. Her smile was contagious and would light up the room.

Reb loved her home and the beautiful landscape on which it sat. Whether it was riding the horses or just admiring them from the window, the thrill of seeing the bluebirds visit the patio feeder, canoeing on the river spotting the vast wildlife surrounding her, or walking the beautiful trails that   meandered through their wooded property, her home was where she was truly happy. It was in this home, filled with so much love, surrounded by those most dear to her, that she passed away.

Joe, along with their five children, twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren will miss Reb dearly. Her vocation to marriage led her to a life of holiness and service, she lived her life in a way that expressed God’s truth and love in the world.

She is survived by one sister, Margaret Robins in Tennessee and two brothers, Richard and Robert in Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Elizabeth Carle, brothers, Charles and William Carle, also from Virginia.

Friends are invited to join the visitation to be held at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley Street, Seaford, DE on Friday, February 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  The funeral liturgy mass will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 528 E. Stein Highway, Seaford, DE on Saturday, February 18 at 9:30 am.

The Rite of Committal will be private

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Seaford, DE.

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