Nellie (Kuceyeski) Wood

NELLIE (KUCEYESKI) WOOD, 89, passed peacefully at Parkview Regional Medical Center on August 25, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. Nellie was born in Alliance, Ohio on November 3, 1929, the daughter of the late Julius and Stella Kuceyeski. She was the daughter of Polish immigrants and the youngest of six children. She graduated from Alliance High School in 1947 and was immediately employed as the personal secretary to John Robertson, President and Owner of the John Robertson Heating and Supply Company. She married Walter, the love of her life, on April 25, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Alliance. Together they had three children, Jeffrey, Kevin, and Kimberly. Nellie’s children were all active in local, high school, and college sports, and she was their #1 fan. She was very proud that her children were all very successful in their chosen careers. Nellie was highly supportive of her husband’s career with the railroad, as Walter’s job took them to various locations, beginning in Minerva, then to Cambridge, and Niles, OH and Sharon, PA, finally landing in Ft. Wayne, IN in 1977. Nellie also had a very successful professional career herself. She held many positions with The Sherwin-Williams Paint Company, beginning in Niles, OH. She first started selling paint, then transitioned to interior decorating, and finally retired after 20 years as the District Secretary to multiple District Sales Managers in Ft. Wayne. In addition to her devotion to her family, Nellie enjoyed polka dancing, cooking, traveling, and participating in many social clubs. Their travels took them to Hawaii, Alaska, Cuba, Poland, Italy, Greece, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Honduras, China, Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Thailand, and the Caribbean Islands. Nellie was especially excited to meet Lech Walesa, President of Poland, in Poland, and Pope John Paul II in Vatican City. River cruises, railroad trips, and traveling to polka festivals brought Nellie and Walter much joy during their 66 years of marriage. Nellie was an active member of many organizations. She was very proud to be a lifetime member of the Polish National Alliance, where she also served as the recording secretary for many years. Other organizations that Nellie was active in included The Altar & Rosary Society, Encore, Gadabouts, 3-5 Club, and Noontime Diners. She was also a Girl Scouts leader for six years at St. Stephen Catholic School in Niles, where all 17 members of her troop earned the Marion Medal, the highest award for Catholic Girl Scouts. Nellie and Walter have been proud members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Ft. Wayne for more than 42 years. Nellie is survived by her husband, Walter; sons Jeffrey (Barbara) Wood of Champion, OH and Kevin Wood of Barberton, OH; and daughter, Kimberly (Jack) Lundy of Orange Park, FL; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Wood and Jessica (Christopher) Costic, all of Columbus, OH; Stephanie Lundy (Thomas Brooks) of Waco, TX, Michael Lundy of Orange Park, FL; and sister, Camille Visi of Delray Beach, FL. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Ignatius, John, and Stanley, and sister, Laura. Nellie will be tremendously missed by her loving family and friends. Memories of Nellie will be a blessing and treasured forever. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 4916 Trier Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815 with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be from 4-7pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood 4017 Maplecrest Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815 with a Rosary Service beginning at 6:30pm. A graveside service be held at Noon on Friday, August 30, 2019 at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery Chapel in Alliance, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Masses at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or the St. Anne's Home. Condolences may be left online at www.mccombandsons.com