Dorothy S. Wood

July 21, 1923 - February 4, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - Dorothy S. Wood, 90, passed away early Tuesday morning, February 4, 2014, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born July 21, 1923 in Westmoreland, the daughter of the late Ray and Villa (Carr) Stoddard.  

When Dorothy was 11 years old her mother died and Dorothy was raised in the Gilbertsville area by her beloved grandmother, Carrie Stoddard. A graduate of the Gilbertsville Central School, she later graduated from the Utica School of Commerce. During the war years she worked as a secretary in the Oneonta area, including serving as office manager for several physicians.

On August 20, 1946 Dorothy married Robert Wood in a ceremony in Maple Grove, near Gilbertsville. They moved to Cooperstown in 1957 where they raised their five children.  

She was active in the early years of organizing the Association for Retarded Children in Otsego County, and served on the Board of Directors for many years. The recognition of, the respect for, and the assistance for all persons with mental challenges were causes always close to her heart.

Dot and Bob and their daughter, Mary Anne, spent many happy retirement years enjoying trips around the country in their camper. She was a gardener (and enjoyed even pulling weeds), an avid reader (psychological mysteries, political biographies and tales of early explorers were her favorites), and was an experimental cook (mixed results -- the "curry-con-carne" is a family legendary disaster tale).  

A long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, Dot was a Sunday School teacher for many years and also served as a Deacon. She also served as a volunteer at Bassett Hospital and The Meadows.

Dorothy is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, William and Marie-Christine Wood of Eugene, Oregon; her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Timothy Gill of Cooperstown; her daughter Betsy Morris of Cooperstown; and her daughter Sarah Wood of Trumansburg. Dorothy also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Kyle Morris, Rebecca Gill, Jessica Gill, Daniel Wood, Michael Wood, Guang Hua Wood and Yiyun Wood. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Robert in 1996, by their daughter, Mary Anne in 1999, as well as by her two brothers, Allan and Sheldon Stoddard.

A funeral service to the Glory of God in Thanksgiving for the life of Dorothy S. Wood will be offered at 11 AM on Monday, February 17, 2014 in the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor, officiating. The service will be followed by a light luncheon in the Chapel.  

The Service of Committal and Burial will be held later this Spring in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, Fly Creek.

At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Dorothy's commitment to the Arc, the family requests memorial gifts be directed to Arc Otsego, P. O. Box 490, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Service of  Committal and Burial
Updated 5/18/14

COOPERSTOWN - A Service of  Committal and Burial for Dorothy S. Wood, 90, who passed away February 4, 2014, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2014, at Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek with the Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.