Evelyn Virginia Wood (Wilson)

Virginia Wood, 87, of Independence, MO passed away October 14, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. A rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. with a visitation to be held from 10-11:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Virginia was born November 6, 1931 on a farm in Beaver Township in Guthrie County, Iowa to Arch Arthur and Clara Mildred Wilson and was their fourth child and second daughter. For grades 1-8 Virginia walked three miles one way to a one-room country school house. In the winter time her mom would put baked potatoes in her mittens to keep her hands warm. She went to Panora High School and played basketball as well as being a drum majorette and baton twirler. She graduated at 16 years old in 1948. Virginia was awarded a scholarship from the American Cancer Society in 1949 and attended Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. She became a registered nurse in 1952, specializing in psychiatry. She also met Douglas Leonard Wood on a blind date and the two were married on August 4, 1956 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, IA. The couple had two daughters, Renee and Karen. After several moves, the family settled in Independence, MO. Virginia worked for the Independence Sanitarium and Menorah Hospitals as well as private physicians. After retiring from nursing, Virginia enjoyed gardening. She was a voracious reader and loved to learn new things. She loved going to casinos, but $20.00 was her limit. She was passionate about traveling the world. Virginia was active in St. Mark’s Catholic Church, where she was a member for 53 years. Her activities included the St. Joseph’s Table, ushering at 11:30 a.m. Mass, Rosary, the Remarkables, and most importantly to her, maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the chapel. She is preceded in death by her husband Douglas L. Wood; parents Arch and Mildred Wilson; brothers Eugene and Marion Wilson; sister Doris Jorgensen; sister-in-law Ruby Wilson; brother-in-law, Dick Jorgensen; and niece Charlene Jacobsen. Virginia is survived by her daughters, Renee and Karen Wood; brother Bill (Janet) Wilson; sister-in-law Deloris Wilson; and many special nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Father Jim Taranto, Donna Wheeldon and Richard Vargas. Our gratitude also to Dr. Manana Elia and University of Kansas Cancer treatment team at Lakewood, Fifth floor doctors and nurses at Centerpoint Hospital, Lauri Higgins, Debbie Heck and the St. Luke’s Hospice House staff. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)