Mary Cecelia (Hudson) Henwood

Mary Cecelia Hudson Henwood of Ridgefield, CT passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and the support of hospice care, on June 12, 2025. Mary opened her heart to all and was blessed with a gift to make family, friends and even total strangers feel that they mattered. Her sharp Irish wit, intellect, bright smile, and generous laughter will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary was the loving wife of David D. Henwood, Jr., who she met on a blind date in New York. They shared sixty years together and their faith brought them comfort and joy, even during difficult times. David always supported her career aspirations. Their five children, David, Mary, Catherine, John and Tara, knew how lucky they were to grow up surrounded by love and laughter. Their grandchildren Daniel, Julia, Alejandro, Rachel, Anders, Claudia, Fiona, Megan, Aidan, Benjamin and Cece and great-granddaughter Bailey added more joy to her life. 

Mary was born in New York City to George and Mary (née Costello) Hudson. Her family lived in the Bronx and later moved to New Jersey where she was the valedictorian of Trinity High School class of 1957. She received a scholarship to join the first female class at Seton Hall University, and she was the first person in her family to earn a college degree. Mary was a remarkable woman and a trailblazer.  She opened a nursery school in her home on Linden Tree Road. She started teaching at Our Lady of Fatima and substitute teaching for Wilton Public Schools.  She chose to build on her teaching experience and pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, specializing in early childhood development. While working full time and raising a family, she received her advanced degree in psychology from Fairfield University, in 1985. Mary worked for the town of Wilton for forty years and was a member of the Wilton Community Crisis team. She was also a religious education teacher at Our Lady of Fatima and later trained as a Stephen Minister, serving the town of Ridgefield.

In the words of Pablo Picasso, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”  Mary’s gift was understanding children, and her purpose was to advocate for them. A legacy of Mary’s is establishing an “inclusion school environment” in both Wilton and Ridgefield.   

Mary loved to travel, she loved music and understood the power of song in calming the spirit. She was always up for an adventure or a cup of coffee. She aways made time for everyone.

Mary is predeceased by her husband David and son John Christopher Henwood, (WTC 9/11). 

She is survived by her four siblings, Margaret Murphy, (Tim pre-deceased), Thomas G. Hudson, (Regina), Jean Quinn (Tom), George Hudson (Florence) and her sister-in-law, Anne McGrath, (Steve pre-deceased) and her four children; David D. Henwood III, Mary L. Henwood (Jim Driscoll), Catherine Henwood Eklund, Tara Henwood Butzbaugh (Scott Fawcett). 

She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren, Daniel Henwood, Rachel Henwood and their mother, Tricia Lea, Julia Sheplock (Justin), Anders Calderon-Eklund, (Fernanda Calderon-Eklund) and Megan Eklund, and their father, Carl Eklund, Alejandro Henwood Munoz and Claudia Henwood Munoz, and their mother Maria Concepcion, (Concha) Munoz Garcia, Fiona Klotz, Aidan Klotz and their father Michael Klotz, Ben Butzbaugh and Cece Butzbaugh and their father Daniel Butzbaugh. And great-granddaughter Bailey Sheplock.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Wilton.

Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to the Office of Youth and Families, St. Mary’s Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877.

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