Dorothy G. Wood

Dorothy Grace Wood, of Hartford passed away peacefully at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the age of 90, after several years of struggling with dementia.

Dorothy was born on June 7, 1933, to George and Arvilla Wessels.  After graduating from high school in Rockford, Dorothy spent the next four years earning a BA in Education from Northern Illinois University-Dekalb.  She then taught the third grade, a grade she truly enjoyed working with, until meeting her future husband, Craig E. Wood.   The couple married in 1960, and a year later daughter Kate was born.  

The quintessential mom, Dorothy was active in school and in church events, both Brownies & Girl Scouts, and other community occasions. She relished introducing Kate and her friends to native wildflowers, to the arts, with ballet performances and trips to the Art Institute in Chicago, and to the joy of crafting. She would read poetry to Kate every night, most frequently, A. A. Milne’s The King’s Breakfast. 

Gardening was one of Dorothy’s passions and during the gardening months, she would be found in her garden all day long.  Dorothy also loved needlepoint, bridge, felted stitchery, cooking, and extending her warmth and kindness through her love of entertaining.

Dorothy enjoyed many trips to Europe with Craig and Kate as well as traveling to the east and west coasts to visit with friends. She was most fond of trips to Door County with both family and friends. Despite her failing health, Dorothy and Kate celebrated Kate's birthday in Door County in October of 2023.  The last trip that Dorothy made to Door County was her 61^st consecutive year of enjoying the beauty that she was so enjoyed.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Kate, sister Charlotte (Mauk), and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Craig; parents, George and Arvilla (Sluiter) Wessels; sisters Dolores, Arlene (Howarth), and Marilyn (Liston); brothers, George, James, Rudy, and Phil; nephews, Michael, James, and Thad. 

A Celebration of life will be held at a future date, and private services will be held at Silver Creek Cemetery in Germany Valley, Illinois.  Memorials may be given to AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

The family would like to thank the staff of AngelsGrace Hospice for their compassionate and loving care during Dorothy's brief stay and for the beauty, dignity, and grace always present. 

Visiting Angels also provided many hours of exemplary care – a special thank you to Tammy, Sally, and Jill.