Kathryn (Katy) Susan Wood, 57, of Bloomfield Hills, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, surrounded by her adoring family.
Born on October 4, 1968, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Wood faced challenges in her life with strength, determination, and grace. At the age of 13, Wood fought and beat cancer. She carried this determination forward throughout her career as an employment lawyer. She loved her professional home – Dickinson Wright – where she spent her entire legal career culminating in her position as general counsel.
Prior to attending the University of Michigan Law School, Wood volunteered her time building homes for under-privileged families in rural West Virginia and Kentucky with the Appalachia Service Project. She carried on in this fulfilling work, advancing to become a regional staff leader. During her time in Boston, Wood worked at a civil rights clinic at Harvard University. She also dedicated the first years of her Detroit career at Common Ground. Wood lived a life dedicated to empowering the historically under-represented. A champion of women and civil liberties, Wood was leader and mentor to all in both her professional and personal life.
Wood is survived by her husband, William Burgess; children, Cooper Peters-Wood (Katie Champion), and Hank Peters-Wood (Sophie Hampton); step-children Tom (Anne) Burgess, and Kelsey (Vinnie) Pizzino; grandchildren, Will, PJ, Giada, and Salvatore; mother, Susan Wood; brothers, Charles Wood (Carrene Charbonneau), and Brady Wood (Alden Smith); and countless friends—all of whom she counted as her greatest blessings. Wood is preceded in death by her father, Charles Wood.
Beyond family, Wood’s passions included musical theater (or any stage production), mentorship, advocating for equality, literature and the arts, and perhaps most notably: Punk Rock music. During undergrad at the University of Michigan, Wood was a proud member of Alpha Chi Omega and a cast member of the Michigan Comedy Company. Her sorority and stage comedy troupe gave her some of her most beloved lifelong friends.
Family will receive friends Wednesday, March 25, from 2 to 8 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home (Vasu, Rodgers and Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak. A memorial service will take place Thursday, March 26, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Visiting begins at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to:
• Appalachia Service Project
4523 Bristol Highway
Johnson City, TN 37601
1-800-607-4433
• Common Ground
30200 Telegraph, Suite 300,
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
1-248-456-8150
• Cass Community Social Services
11745 Rosa Parks
Attn: CR
Detroit, MI 48206
313-883-2277
