"We were neighbors of Jane in Crestwood many years ago, and we have fond memories of what a lovely and special person she was in so many ways -- kind, gentle, uplifting, and oh my, what a beautiful flower garden she tended for all of us to enjoy. Our deepest sympathy to the family, and especially to Laura, an old friend and the best babysitter ever for our kids. May many happy memories help during this sorrowful time. Diane & Joe Paskus "
In loving memory of
Jane Morris Wood
June 8, 1921 - December 10, 2018
Jane Morris Wood, age 97, died at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison, WI on December 10th. Jane was born on June 8, 1921, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the daughter of William and Bertha Morris. In 1928, the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin where Jane attended Randall Elementary School and graduated from West High in 1939. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in English. In 1943, Jane was one of eight women graduates offered a fellowship with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft to study engineering when engineers were in short supply during World War II. She worked for Pratt & Whitney as a metallurgist in Hartford, Connecticut. Jane later worked for Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago and the University of Illinois as a micro analyst.
In 1947, Jane married Sydney Makepeace Wood II and returned to Madison in the Crestwood neighborhood to start a family. She was a member of St. Andrews Church, where she sang in the choir, served on the alter guild, Vestry and as junior warden. She participated in the Madison Chapter of Junior Great Books and served on the board of directors of the Crestwood Cooperative Housing Association, and was an election official for many years. Jane was a past president of the Dickens Fellowship and was a Charter Member of the Wisconsin-Illinois Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society where she served as secretary-treasurer. In 2002, Jane was the recipient of the Catholic Charities Executive Director's Award for Companion Care. Jane enjoyed spending two weeks of each summer with her family in Door County, Wisconsin. She enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing, quilting, knitting, hiking and bird watching.
Left to celebrate her life well-lived are her three children, Susan Wood, David (Goldy) Wood, Laura Wood, former son-in-law Greg Schiltz and a daughter of the heart, Linnea Smith. Jane is survived by her grandchildren Nicholas Schiltz, Megan (Dan) Vosters, Stefan Schiltz and Michelle Wood. She is also survived by step-grandchildren Ben (Melanie) Toth, Katie (Kevin) Tiesing and a sister, Ann Fitzsimmons, of Colorado. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sydney Makepeace Wood II and by three sons, Michael, Sydney III "Woody" and Christopher "Kit" Wood.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of St. Mary's Care Center for their loving care. Instead of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent St., Madison, WI 53726, with visitation from 9:30 am until the time of service at the church. Please share a memory.
Jane will be remembered for her beautiful gardens, her smile, her quick laughter and her always positive outlook on life. Mom, you are our hero and greatest inspiration.
Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-8406
Tributes
"Dear Laura & family - As you cherish your memories of your special Mother, may you feel peace & love. Whenever someone has had an incredible journey here on earth, I am reminded of the poem below by Henry Van Dyck. Hugs, Peggy Gone From My Sight I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying... "