Joan Dorothea Wood

Joan Dorothea Wood passed away peacefully on April 4, 2016 with her loving husband Bob by her side. They were married for 53 years. She is survived by her children Elyse McKelvey (Dennis), Carrie Wood, and Christopher Wood (Sara). Her grandchildren and great grandchild were the light of her life – Shawn McKelvey (Danielle), Christopher McKelvey, Kyle McKelvey, Nicole Wood, Vivian Wood, Eloise Wood, and baby Aria McKelvey. Joan was born on June 7, 1936 in Orange, New Jersey to Rigmor and Karsten Indahl, from Denmark and Norway respectively. She graduated from Bloomfield High School where she was on the archery and drill teams. Also, on a full academic scholarship, she attended Upsala College in Orange, New Jersey. Most of her career was spent in the social services field, most recently as Director of Training for Suncoast Girl Scout Council. She was also a partner with her husband Bob in their consulting business where she handled training and administration. Volunteer work included sitting on the board of Ocean County Family Planning, assisting the teachers at Forked River Presbyterian Nursery School and fund raising for the PTA. Traveling to Denmark in 1993 was one of Joan’s fondest memories. She and Bob were hosted by family members and got an in depth look at her Danish heritage. Other memorable trips included Expo 67 when her children were young, San Francisco, white water rafting in Colorado, Long Boat Key, as well as trips to visit her children in New Jersey; Jupiter, Florida; and Seattle. Another favorite memory was a recent family reunion in Ocean City, New Jersey where the family celebrated Joan and Bob’s 50th wedding anniversary. Some of Joan’s favorite pastimes included swimming in her pool, reading, baking, bird watching from her back porch, and taking a Sunday drive with Bob in their classic 1967 Chrysler 300 convertible. Joan was also a very talented singer and was a previous member of the Ocean County College Community Chorus and the Dunedin Community Chorus. Joan loved her great friends Ed and Marilyn Bennett, Joe and Lorraine Gordon, Mary Kay and Ron Lindquist, Bill and Cindy Rocknack, Mike and Marie Gruben, Michael and Susan Reed, Brent and Pat Mosher, Carol and Harold Butler, and Peg and Mike Tieman. The family thanks you for being such a big part of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Joan Wood to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.