Eva Uhlig Woodward, age 85, passed away on October 6, 2020 in Orlando. Born October 27, 1934 in Crimmitschau, Germany to Helmut and Ilse Uhlig, Eva lived a lifetime worthy of remembrance and celebration.
Spanning nearly 86 years, the book of her life would rival "War and Peace," and she experienced both firsthand. She once made a solo escape from behind the Iron Curtain into West Germany. In postwar England, she served as au pair to a baron and baroness. She knew what it meant to have opulent wealth and tight budgets. Her lifelong journey encompassed an impressive itinerary of cities, countries, continents and oceans. Through good times, fun times, unforgettable times and not-so-easy times, she approached it all with casual charm, upbeat humor and diminutive strength.
Eva came to America by passenger ship, moving far from home with Jasper S. “Woody” Woodward, a man she genuinely loved, raising four boys as a full-time job and, like any job she ever had, putting her heart and soul into it. With an honest laugh and the ability to talk with anyone, she was never pretentious, artificial or distant.
Everyone who knew her liked her, and those of us who knew her best loved her dearly. She was caring and giving and affectionate and welcoming. The comfort food was downright legendary. She was independent to the last, and neither a stroke nor a broken hip could change that.
Eva believed in angels on her shoulder, feeding stray animals, and donating to a long list of charities. She enjoyed travels and house cats and classical music. She was partial to blue jays and ladybugs and orchids. But mostly she loved every member of her extended family, scattered here and there on both sides of the Atlantic. Each opportunity to talk, call, text, visit, gather, cook and dine was relished, and nothing mattered more than knowing her dear ones were happy and healthy and doing just fine.
For as long as we live, we will cherish the memories and be thankful we had a Mutti, Omi, Tante, role model, inspiration and devoted friend like her.
Eva will be lovingly remembered by her sons and their spouses, Tom and Sanne, Stephen and Ginger, and Lt. Col. Robert and Sherry; grandchildren Trey (Chelsea-Lyn), Brandon (Taylor), Connor, Austin, Jessica, Rebecca, Robert Jr. and Trevor; great-grandchildren Lyla and Jasper Joseph; sister-in-law Ilse Uhlig; daughter-in-law Sheral Woodward; the families of Andreas (Christine) Uhlig and Steffi (Thomas) Klenk; the families of Charles (Donna) Woodward, Sharon (James) Jackson, and Walter (Marie) Woodward; and numerous relatives, neighbors and friends.
She was predeceased by her adoring husband Lt. Col. Jasper S. Woodward; son Lt. Col. Jasper S. “Sam” Woodward, Jr.; parents Helmut and Ilse Uhlig; and brothers Guido (Lilo) Uhlig and Rolf Uhlig.
Visitation will be held October 30, 2020 at 10:00 am, with a Celebration of Life following at 11:00 am, at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park. Committal Service will be held October 30 at 12:15 pm at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing or to the American Society for Deaf Children.
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