Judith “Judy” Ann Wood passed away November 19, 2022 at home in Massillon, Ohio with her husband and daughter by her side. Despite living with the pain and mobility issues of Rheumatoid Arthritis for many years, Judy did her very best to live her life to the fullest.
Judy was born September 20, 1943 in Mitchell, Indiana to Ralph and Kathryn (Burton) Nolan. She graduated from Mitchell High School in 1961 and met her husband, Larry Wood, that same year, at the annual Persimmon Festival in Mitchell. They both were attending school in Indianapolis and one weekend, Judy needed a ride home. Larry happily obliged and as he puts it, “they have been riding together ever since”.
Larry and Judy married on April 4, 1964. They loved each other for over sixty-one years and were married for fifty-eight and a half years. They had three children together (Kenneth Edward, Jeffrey Dale, and Susan Leann) and spent their life living wherever Larry’s career with the railroad took them.
Judy earned her associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She worked for several years in Sacramento, California as the Preschool Director at Foothill Farms Baptist Church. But the jobs she loved the most were being a Mom, Mamaw, wife, and homemaker. Judy was a phenomenal cook and the family always said there was no better “restaurant” than Judy’s kitchen.
Judy’s life journey allowed her to live in and see many parts of the US. The family enjoyed camping and Judy especially loved the California Redwoods, the Pacific Ocean, and the mountains. She was an avid reader, enjoyed watching basketball and baseball, and attending concerts and plays.
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Larry; son, Jeffrey Wood and wife, Teresa; and daughter, Susan Wood and fiancé, Mike Olsen; three grandchildren, Nathan Wood, Alex Wood, Collin Tallinger; two great-grandchildren, Gracelynn Wood and Grayson Tallinger; sister, Carolyn Sims and husband, John; great friends, German shepherd Kelly and cats, Cole and Chessie.
She was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Wood; parents, Ralph and Kathryn Nolan; brother, Donald Nolan and wife, Hilda; and sister, Martha Tritle and husband, Bob.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Judy will be laid to rest next to her son, Kenneth, in Mitchell Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon, Ohio and Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Mitchell, Indiana.
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