Melanie Woods Obituary

Melanie Ann Woods passed away on January 28, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones. Mel was born in Oswego, New York on October 11, 1960, to Joseph C and Patricia A (Gramling) Pfeifer. She Graduated from Oswego High School with the class of 1978 and shortly thereafter graduated from the Wilma Boyd business school. Melanie relocated to Colorado and later South Dakota before eventually returning back to her hometown of Oswego several years later.

Shortly after her return to New York, Melanie became a Licensed Practical Nurse, serving her community at many different long term care facilities over her thirty-year career. Melanie was blessed with a loving family and many life-long friends, upon whom she doted ceaselessly. Melanie was best known for her skills as a baker, with her cheesecakes, key-lime pies, and “Zerby Cakes” being just a few of her most famous.

Mel was also known for her consummate gift giving, always finding the most unique and perfect gift for any situation or occasion. She worked tirelessly, raising two boys by herself for whom she provided anything and everything they wanted. As she became a grandmother, her selflessness found new purchase with her many grandchildren.

Melanie was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Patricia Pfeifer, and her brother Charles “Huck” Pfeifer. She is survived by her sons, Casey (Elizabeth) Woods and Ryan (Cassandra) Woods, her step-daughter Molly (Tom) Elliot, her step-son Peter Woods, her two sisters, Nancy and Carolyn Pfeifer, her aunts Sally Pfeifer and Irene Rebeor, many cousins, thirteen grand-children, and her lifelong best friend Jaquilne Rodriguez. 

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday February 4th, 2025 at the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home in Oswego from the hours of 3:00pm - 6:30pm, with a small service for close friends and family afterward. 

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Angela, Shelly and their many volunteers from the Matthew House of Auburn, who provided her with comfort and love in her last weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Matthew House, at 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn NY, 13021