WOOD: Gloria Elizabeth
January 30, 1931 – March 3, 2017
It is with profound gratitude for having known her that we announce the passing of Gloria Elizabeth Wood (née Duke) of Saskatoon. Mom was born on the farm, north of Plunkett, January 30, 1931 to Brock and Merle Duke. She was the oldest of ten children. She grew up surrounded by family; her grandparents lived just down the road, uncles and aunts on two other adjoining farms. When she began school, she had the luxury of being able to walk the mile to Badger School with the teacher. Grandpa Duke taught at Badger as well as farming in the district. Mom loved playing ball as a kid, enjoyed skiing in the winter, loved to read, but most of all treasured spending time with her Grandma and Grandpa Sutherland, just down the road. When it was time to go to high school, she rode a bike seven miles to and from Plunkett each day, except in the winter, when she boarded with a family. Her first paid job was working at a store in Plunkett. Of course as a farm kid, getting paid to work was a treat. Mom worked for a while as a telephone operator in Saskatoon, spent a year in Regina, before returning to the area to marry Ralph Wood. They farmed in the Brithdir area, between periods of Dad buying grain at Red Pheasant and Macrorie. In 1962, they moved to Saskatoon. Dad sold farm machinery for CCIL ,and later drove a city bus. Mom adjusted to the noise of a street packed with kids. But she was happy to have running water, central heat, and the amenities of city life. Mom never really loved the farm. Or chickens. Or milking cows. Or dirt. In 1968, after her youngest child began school, Mom began working in the Teleshop department of Simpsons Sears, where she spent more than 20 happy years. Mom was never happier than when the family and extended family were all together. As the oldest, she was the leader, and her family was the gathering place. When grandchildren came along, she thrilled in attending their concerts, and spending time with the little ones, who adored her completely. Mom was also the family historian, building upon the work her dad had begun to compile the Duke family tree in Canada. It is a legacy for future generations. She also compiled a rough draft of the Wood family, and published a piece about her grandma, Madge Sutherland, in a book on pioneer women. A lovely and gracious lady, with a smile that captivated everyone she met, Mom was intellectually curious, a gifted cook, baker and made many of our own and her clothes, from suits to dresses to blue jeans. After our dad passed away, mom moved into a condo and made some new and dear friends, served on the condo board, and enjoyed travelling to the UK and Ireland with her daughter, and to other locales with her sisters. In the last few years, dementia caused her to slowly fade from us, but that smile remained to the end, letting her know she was happy to see you, even when she could no longer say so. Mom spent the last year at Oliver Lodge, where she received such wonderful care that we will be ever grateful for. Mom lived a remarkable life and by her example instilled values in her children and grandchildren that helped them succeed in life. Gloria was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Wood; brother, Clinton Duke; parents, Brock and Merle Duke; grandparents, Madge and Donald Sutherland, Mary and Aldon Duke; and in laws, Janet Duke, Blake Galvin, Ethel Wood, Allan Wood, Anne Wood and Dorothy Caswell. She is survived by her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren: JAMES (Rose), David (Tanisha), Taylen; DON (Sandra), Alyssa; LINDA (Ward);, Trisha (Usne), Josiah and Alistair, Krista (Chris), Tristain, Avery, Alexander and Andrew; MURRAY (Val), Brendan (Lyndsay), Sarah (James), Janna (Austin). Her siblings: Eileen (Steve) Egeto; Howard Duke; Phyllis Galvin; Carol (Don) Collins; Tom (Norma) Duke; Layne (Sylvia) Duke; Judy (Donald) Normandeau; Heather (Glen) McPherson. Her brother-in-law, Bruce Wood and sisters-in-law, June Duke, Doreen Wood and by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Her Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home (east on 8th St, first right past Briargate Rd). Friends and family are invited to wear a bit o’green or a bit o’tartan as a tribute to her love of her heritage. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan (c/o 1405 Faulkner Cres, Saskatoon, SK S7L 3R5) or Oliver Lodge (1405 Faulkner Cres, Saskatoon, SK S7L 3R5). Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorial.ca. Arrangements entrusted to Hillcrest Funeral Home, Saskatoon, SK.