Margaret Wood

Some of our heroes are movie stars, some are from the world of sports but the real heroes of the American landscape are those that touch the lives of a family and community. People like Margaret Wood who worked hard and raised a family with a caring touch and large amounts of love, nurturing a 65 year marriage and contributing to the community in a quiet solid way.

The year was 1922, President Harding was dealing with a 6 month strike by coal workers, the roaring 20’s were in full bloom and the New York Giants defeated the Yankees in the first subway World Series. In Traverse City Robert and Mildred Spears were preparing for excitement in their own home, the birth of a daughter on March 23, they named her Margaret.

In those days Traverse City was a small hamlet, not the bustling city it is today and like many families of the time Margaret’s father owned a small farm. Life was hard for Margaret and her 3 siblings, there were chores to be done before school and more work on her return from studies. The hardships of the depression affected the Spears family just like the rest of the country; it meant growing their own food and preserving it and learning to make wicker furniture to supplement the family income. Margaret learned to cook at an early age and continued to use and enjoy the skills of canning and cooking for her own family in subsequent years.

Like most of the children of Northern Michigan in those days, she attended a small country school were the teacher taught with the aid of the older children helping the younger students. Margaret was quiet and reserved but was a good student and went on to attend Traverse City High School. A good reader, the lynch pin of learning, Margaret enjoyed reading and books throughout her life.

It was in high school where she met Kenneth Wood, their relationship blossomed and she and Ken were married when she was 20. That same year, 1942, America was hurtling towards involvement in WWII and Ken enlisted in the Navy. Their life together abruptly interrupted, Margaret moved to Lansing to live with her parents. Like women all over the country Margaret went to work in manufacturing taking a job with Diamond Rio turning out military vehicles for the war effort. She would be part of history that changed the acceptance of women in the work place forever. The war years were difficult waiting for Ken’s return, wondering if he would return. Life was filled with work and simple pleasures like Sunday drives with her parents and the occasional movie with friends.

On Ken’s return she left her job to start her family that eventually included Gary, Larry and Kenneth. Her new job had much longer hours but she was a caring mother and filled the home with her love that only a mother can provide.

At the point her family was raised Margaret returned to the work force employed by the George Worthington Company in Lansing, retiring after 20 years of service.

In her retirement years she and Ken enjoyed traveling and the joy and company of her family which had grown with the addition of grandchildren. Some of her favorite memories were of family camping and canoe trips.

Sadly her time with Ken ended with his death after 65 years of marriage. As her health failed and signs of Alzheimer’s appeared her family stepped in to care for her and in some way return the years of devotion she had shown them. After a bad fall she moved to Hazel I. Findlay home where she spent the last year of her life surrounded by her loving family on the day of her death.

Margaret will be missed but the memories of the love she shared with her family will warm the hearts of those left behind.

Margaret L. Wood died May 3, 2010, at the age of 88. Born on March 23, 1922, in Traverse City, the daughter of Robert and Mildred (Whitmarsh) Spears. She was a member of Community Christian Church, retired from George Worthington Co. in Lansing after 20 years, and was a home maker. Margaret married Kenneth Wood in Traverse City, on June 21, 1942, and he preceded her in death on July 31, 2007.

Surviving her are their three sons, Gary (Carolyn) Wood, Larry Wood and Kenneth (Ann Marie) Wood, grandchildren, Amy (Tom) Deak, Scott (Cari) Wood, Eric Wood and Michael (Mary) Wood, great grandchildren, Samantha Ferguson, Cody Wood, Cayla Wood, Matthew Wood, and several nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie and Robert Spears and one sister, Berneice Spears. Special thanks to the Hazel I. Findlay Special Care Unit.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 6, 2010, at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, with Rev. Tyler Barlage officiating, burial at Eureka Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Christian Church Bldg. Fund, in memory of Ken and Margaret Wood.