Funeral services are scheduled Friday for Margaret V. "Peggy" Woodard, mother of Mark Woodard, Pinellas assistant county administrator, and the mother-in-law of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.
Woodard died Saturday at age 84. Visitation is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday with a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery near Bushnell.
"She was absolutely great," Iorio said. "I had a wonderful mother-in-law. I was very fortunate."
Iorio said she met Woodard more than 20 years ago when she began seeing her Woodard. "She enthusiastically welcomed me into the family and treated me like a daughter."
Woodard grew close to Iorio's two children, the mayor said.
"She came over every day to take care of my children. There's a strong bond there. She had so much fun with the children. She delighted in all they did.
"She was very gracious and a lovely person who made everyone feel like they had known her for years."
Woodard is also survived by four sons, George Jr., Tim, Michael, and Joseph O'Connell; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, George E. Woodard Sr., and her daughter, Sharon Haviland.
Blount & Curry Funeral Home, MacDill Avenue Chapel, is handling arrangements.
Woodard was a lifelong Tampa resident, a homemaker and a Realtor "who devoted her life to her family and her church," according to a biography issued by the funeral home.
The family suggests contributions to the Friends of Joshua House Foundation, P.O. Box 1769, Tampa FL 33601.
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