Ann Woodfield Obituary

The family of Ann Latimer Woodfield is saddened to announce her peaceful passing at home in Charleston, SC, Sunday, July 13, 2025. Born in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 1934, Ann was the daughter of Annie E. C. Latimer (née Gassaway), a graduate of Winthrop College, and an educator. Her father was James Robert Latimer, an alumnus of Clemson A&M College, a WWI veteran and a civil engineer with the Southern Railway. Both of her parents were from Honea Path, SC. Ann grew up in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Maryland in 1956. Following college, she was a stewardess for American Airlines and enjoyed traveling and living in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta during the elegant early years of flying. She returned to Washington, D.C. to marry Roland Lawton Woodfield, who had been a childhood neighbor. They had two children: Tracy Woodfield Jakobson of Rye, NY and Charleston, SC, and Dr. Scott Latimer Woodfield of Charleston, SC. Ann returned to the workforce as a teacher at The Primary Day School in Bethesda, MD from 1970 through 1978. Her marriage to Roland ended in divorce in 1977. She was then married to Dan Cordtz, and in 1978, they moved to New York City. Her marriage to Cordtz also ended in divorce. Ann worked for several non-profit organizations in NY and eventually started her own consulting and association management firm, Woodfield Management Resources. She was fortunate along the way to have met Ralph Earnest Wood, a widower, who was introduced to her at her grandson's christening. They subsequently married in 1997. Along with Ralph, she successfully ran her firm until her retirement at which time they moved to Charleston and became active in the community, especially at Grace Church Cathedral. Ann leaves behind her cherished family: Husband Ralph; daughter Tracy Jakobson, her husband Patrik Jakobson and their three children Dr. Kristina Jakobson, her husband Dr. Glenn Baumann of Boston, MA, Sophia Jakobson of Holyoke, MA and Emma Jakobson of New York, NY; her son, Dr. Scott Woodfield, his wife Andrea (née Harris) and their children Clay Woodfield of Greensboro, NC and Claudia Woodfield, JD, of Boston, MA; and Ralph's daughter Roz Kabrhel, JD, her husband Dr. Chris Kabrhel and their children Sadie and Lucy of Belmont, MA. She was immensely proud of each and loved them all dearly. When asked for words to define her life, her family would respond: Ahead of her time (like her mother), determined in the face of adversity, a champion for education, intensely interested in current events, and an ardent advocate of women's rights and mental health care. Ann was bright, vivacious, and moved through her life with purpose, strength, and kindness. As an only child, Ann claimed she could never be bored- she loved the active bustle of NYC, the arts, and was an avid reader. She loved fiercely and she'd let you know that you were cherished, unique, and valued. She will be missed dearly by many and most of all by her family. If you would like to make a donation in Ann's memory, she would have been honored for your support of Grace Church Cathedral. Their online giving can be found at gracechurchcharleston.org.