Patricia June Wilson Wood

Our vibrant, zesty and devoted mother, Patricia Wood, passed away November 1 in her new South Jordan home. She died unexpectedly of natural causes. It is with faith and hope that we believe she is now embraced in the loving arms of her husband, Reed and her son, Danny.

A model of determination and zeal, Patricia was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She completed her degree in elementary education at Utah State University, earning her professional teaching certificate in 1958. She married, and moved to Studio City, California where she had two children. From the moment they were born her life was centered on her children.

After a divorce, she returned to Salt Lake City where she caught the eye of a wonderful man, who in turn won her heart. He loved her remarkable soprano voice and blue eyes. She loved his deep sensitivity, wisdom, and his beautiful poetry. She married Lowell Reed Wood in November, 1970 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

Together they worked hard to unite the four children from their two previous marriages and soon they rejoiced at the birth of another little boy, Danny, who completed this new family circle. Danny represented all the happiness of her new life. Danny was the victim of a tragic accident when he was struck by a car and died at the age of seven. Mom missed him every day for the rest of her life.

Mom sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and was a talented artist, gardener and decorator. She loved traveling and meeting new people. She was also an accomplished shopper. She had no problem returning brown bananas and would always get a full refund!

Mom loved teaching, working as an educator for many years in Salt Lake City and St. George, where she and Dad moved after the kids were grown. They lived in St. George for 27 years before Reeds death in 2009. Mom cared for her own mother until Grandma passed away at the age of 101. Pat then turned in her papers to serve an LDS mission in Nauvoo, Illinois.

After completing her mission, Mom wanted to return to the Salt Lake area to be near her family. She moved back just three weeks ago and during that short time, managed to make it to nearly every store within a 12 mile radius!

Throughout mom's life, she was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a student of the scriptures and the prophets. She had a sweet unwavering faith in the example and atonement of our Savior. We know that as she parted this life she was embraced in the loving arms of her family.

Patricia is survived by her four children: Tracy (John) Melville, Susan (Terry) Wood, Christopher (Jen) Wood, and David (Nancy) Wood; her sister, Caryll (Dennis) Bateman and brother, Allen (Lynn) Wilson, 18 grandchildren: Megan & Chris, JD & Megan, Jason, Jenna & Jonathan, Jordan, Sarah, Hannah, Mitchell, Adam, Zach, Aaron, Caleb, Sam, Bryan, and Alex and four great grand-kids, Addison, Katelyn, Conner and Nathan. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband L. Reed, her son Danny, her mother and father, June and Gordon Wilson, and aunts, uncles and grandparents whom she dearly loved.

Mothers hold their children's hands for a little while and their hearts forever. Our love for mom will always endure.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 7 at 2:00pm at the Mt. Olympus LDS Ward Building, 4176 South Adonis Drive (3930 East). A viewing will be held prior to services from 12:00-1:40pm at the same location. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery. Messages to the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com