Elaine Wood, August 9, 1925 - March 21, 2021
WOOD - It is with great sadness, the family of E. Elaine Wood (nee Roy) share the passing of Elaine on March 21, 2021 at the age of 95 in The Long Term Care Facility, Oyen, Alberta.
Elaine was born in Youngstown hospital August 9, 1925 to Eben and Mable Roy. Walker Roy (Unc) was a special person in her life as well. She was raised on the Hillcrest Farm south of Youngstown. Her favorite horse story was when she was 15, she rode Clarabelle in a race against some men at a Youngstown Sports Day and won. She claimed she just hung on and the horse did the rest.
Elaine developed a love for drama during her school years and took part in plays like “Deacon Dubbs”. She completed grade 12 in Youngstown. Elaine met Walter Wood at a local community dance. They were married July 20, 1945 at the Roy farm. Their dance was held in the Youngstown Hall with The OK Orchestra. Their first daughter, Cheryl was born in Hanna Hospital in 1946 and Wendy was born in Cereal Hospital in 1949. Elaine wanted the best for her family and was always there when they needed her. Their home was shared with the eight grandchildren as they were growing up and they always slept in sleeping bags on the living room floor, ate popcorn and watched TV. Also, they were known to open their home to family and friends throughout the years whether it be to recuperate, bad weather or holidays. There were many gatherings where Elaine played the piano and her and Walter would sing. She was very proud that she played ball and curled, long enough to play with both her daughters.
Elaine was involved in their farming operations and helped wherever she could. Driving like a bat out of hell to town for parts, driving trucks, tractors, combines, delivering meals to the field by truck, car or motorhome were just a few of her contributions. During harvest, when she took meals out to the field, she drove a combine while the men ate. She drove the Willies Jeep to check cows, bring in vegetables from the garden and give her grandchildren rides and driving lessons.
Elaine’s interests were many. Knitting, sewing, reading, puzzles, playing cards, crib, and outdoors she played fastball, curled, went ski-dooing, skating, horse shoes, tobogganing, fishing, camping and gardening.
She was an active volunteer in 3 communities, Cereal, Lanfine and Oyen. She was an Honorary Member of the Order of The Eastern Star. She spent countless hours organizing Lanfine functions, Cereal BBQ’s and helping with the Curling Club in Oyen. She had an artistic talent for creating decorations for all kinds of functions, parades and Halloween costumes.
Walter and Elaine traveled far and wide with friends and family including cruises, train trips, visited relatives in Nova Scotia, drove a car back from Detroit and went camping a lot at Blood Indian, Moose Lake, Waterton, Elkwater, and her favorite spot, Pine Lake.
After Walter’s passing, Elaine moved to her new house in Oyen in 2003, then to The Lodge in 2016 and finally to Long Term Care in 2018. She made people laugh right up until she couldn’t anymore.
Elaine is predeceased by her husband Walter, her parents, Eben and Mabel Roy; Uncle Walker Roy; Brother Don (Lila) Roy; Walters parents Allie and Ethel Wood as well as his Brother Ellis (Margaret) Wood; Sister Doris (Art) Berg and her Grandson John Hogan.
Elaine leaves two daughters; (1) Cheryl (John) Hogan, their children Trish (Jack) Breum; Tom (Cyndi) Hogan, Don (Denise) Hogan, Bobbi-Jo Hogan, and John’s (Lacey) Hogan; (2) Wendy (Jim) Marr and their children: Lori (Kerry) Bohnet; Tyler Marr and Mitchell Marr as well as 17 Great Grand Children and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
No greater lady will ever be missed as much as we will miss her.
Elaine never said good-bye. In her words.
“OK, WE’RE GONE!”
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Memorial tributes may be directed to the Oyen & District Health Care Foundation, Box 150, Oyen AB T0J 2J0 or the charity of your choice.
Funeral Arrangements in the care of MacLean’s Funeral Home in Oyen, Ab. ofsmacleans.com