Maintained for Historical Purposes

This resource is being maintained for historical purposes only and is not currently applicable.

Summary: If there's a school in heaven&

Publication Date: November 25, 2002

Author: General Manager: FSA Schools Channel

Summary: If there’s a school in heaven…

Posted on 11-25-2002

To: All School Partners

From: G. Kay Jacks

General Manager

Schools Channel

Federal Student Aid

U.S. Department of Education

Date: November 25, 2002

Re: If there’s a school in heaven…

It is with deepest regret that I inform you that Greg Woods passed away yesterday, November 21, 2002, at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C., after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Greg resigned his position as FSA Chief Operating Officer earlier this year.

He is survived by his wife, Lee, who also worked for the Education Department until this year. He was proud of his three grown children, Kristen Schultz, Denise Martinez, and Brian Woods, and his six grandchildren.

If you knew Greg personally or were touched by his passionate commitment to student aid, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Lustgarten Foundation For Pancreatic Cancer Research. Contributions can be mailed to 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714. Credit card donations can be made by calling 1-866-789-1000 or on the foundation’s Web site at www.lustgartenfoundation.org.

Regarding services, visitation will be held Monday, November 25, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning (time TBD), November 26 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 312 S. Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314. As of this writing, the time is uncertain.

Burial services will be held immediately following at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexandria.

Many of you may have heard Greg tell the story of how he came up with the phrase that our staff so eagerly seized as FSA’s slogan. His six-year-old granddaughter, who he called “Pookey,” heard him talking about his job here and she asked what the job was. He struggled to explain it in simple terms and found himself saying, “We help put America through school.” Greg took great pride in his role in helping put America through school, and the passion and commitment that all of you bring to your roles always impressed him.

If there’s a school in heaven, and if a student needs financial aid, there’s a new administrator there today who probably can’t wait to get down to business.

Greg Woods. He was a good man.