Helen G. Wood

She was born on Crumhorn Mountain at home on November 15, 1923 to the late Helmer and Anna (Grant) Holstead.

Helen attended school in Angelica, NY for eight years where she played violin in the school orchestra and was a member of the chorus. She was the Valedictorian of the 8th grade graduation class. In 1938, the family moved to Oneonta and Helen graduated from Oneonta High School with the class of 1941. She was a member of the orchestra. She then went to Russell Sage College of Nursing in Troy, NY and graduated in 1946 as a registered nurse of the Cadet Corps.

She accompanied on piano for the Gertrude School of ballet and tap dancing in the 1940’s.

On June 4, 1949, Helen married Richard D. “Woody” Wood in the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Oneonta. Richard predeceased her on January 6, 2005.

Helen was employed at Cornell Hospital, Fox Hospital, Homer Folks Hospital, and the Oneonta Nursing Home. After her retirement, she volunteered at Fox Hospital.

She was a member of the Senior Citizens Bowling League. A lover of animals, Helen always had a cat for a pet.

A confirmed Lutheran, Helen was a Sunday School Teacher at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Oneonta, and a member of the Martha Circle.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Wood of Oneonta and Patricia (Wood) Snyder and her husband, John, of Otego; three grandchildren, Matthew, Caitlin and Todd Snyder; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wood of Cooperstown and Muriel Dix of Sidney; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Roland, Henry and Herbert Holstead and one sister, Vera Holstead.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 in the funeral home at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Paul Messner, Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, officiating. Burial will follow in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Helen’s name may be made to the SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, New York 13326.

To light a candle or send an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.