Hildred H. Wood

Hildred (“Hillary”) (nee House) Wood, teacher, musician, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, passed away peacefully November 18, 2021 of natural causes. Mrs. Wood was guided by strong Christian faith from her 1923 birth in her grandparents’ farmhouse in Lebanon, located in southwest Virginia (Russell County), to her passing at home in Falls Church, Virginia. She cherished early decades in Amonate, West Virginia, and in Lebanon. Mrs. Wood graduated from Big Creek High School in War, West Virginia and played clarinet in the marching band. She earned a degree in 1945 in Education at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tah sorority, played violin in the orchestra, and clarinet in the marching band. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served as an Apprentice Seamen a short period. Mrs. Wood loved music, and was blessed with a gifted musical ear, dulcet voice, and near-perfect pitch. She could sing or play on the piano any song by ear, and play nearly any instrument. Always exuding vim, warmth, joy and talent, Mrs. Wood, until her final week, played the piano - from Hymns to the jazzy St. Louis Blues – by memory, to the delight of many in the Rotunda area of Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, where she lived independently for six years. A Grade 4 through 12 teacher, Mrs. Wood taught all subjects in West Virginia, and in Fairfax and Arlington Counties in Virginia, until her retirement, and she was a past marching band director. She started each day of her 4th grade class playing a song on the piano with everyone singing. Mrs. Wood’s love of teaching and learning never waned. Mrs. Wood was active in community groups. She was honored to be a long-time member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Wood’s devotion, wise counsel and fun activities with family (including tennis into her 80’s) were coveted endeavors, and her family benefited greatly from them. While she had infectious and joyful energy and was always positive and keenly interested in each family member, she also possessed strong common sense and fortitude, stemming from her humble upbringing. Her sound and calm advice was often sought and always treasured. Mrs. Wood was the devoted wife to the late Capt. Robert L. Wood, Jr. (USAF) (until his 2013 passing); cherished and inspiring mother to her three children, Ronald Kinzer (and wife Kathy) of Springfield, Virginia, Jeanette Hawks (and husband Tim) of Florida, and Jacqueline Welch (and husband John) of Winchester, Massachusetts; grandmother to twelve: Lisa, Julie and Michelle Kinzer, Rachel Hardeman, TJ, Josh and Mary Hawks, and, Jack, Joseph, Kasey, Elizabeth and Charlotte Welch; and, great-grandmother to four: Evan, Silas, Moriah and Isaac Hardeman. Mrs. Wood was predeceased by her sister, Edith (nee House) Monk. She cherished her many cousins, especially David L. Leonard and her extended family in Lebanon, Virginia. Mrs. Wood also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held in Mrs. Wood’s honor at the Goodwin House December 4, 2021 at Noon (with a restricted number of guests due to current rules). A Funeral Service will be held at Ft. Myer Chapel, and burial at Arlington National Cemetery (with her late husband), on a date TBD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.