Nell Poole Wood

Nell Poole Wood, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2010 at the age of 90. She was born in Tucson, Arizona, on November 13, 1920, the year women achieved the vote. Born to William Alfred and Elizabeth Kerr Poole, Nell was a beloved only child. Her father passed away when Nell was 2, and Elizabeth raised her in Pasadena and Beaumont, Calif. At age 9, the family moved to a 10 acre cherry ranch near Palm Springs where Nell developed lifelong passions for hard work and sports. Nell moved to Houston, living with maiden aunt Dottie while she attended Rice Univ. She graduated in 1941 with a degree in French and Spanish. In the summer of that same year, Marine 2nd Lieutenant William Avey Wood (Rice '40) contacted Nell while stationed in California. Their engagement culminated in a secret marriage on Christmas Day, 1941, just 3 weeks after Pearl Harbor. Following Nell's graduation, their 32 year journey as husband and wife began. In addition to combat on Iwo Jima Col. Wood’s 27 year Marine career included stints in California, Washington D.C., occupied Japan and Hawaii. Nell and Bill welcomed 4 children along the way: William Avey, Jr., Anthony Alfred, Robert Kerr and Ann Elizabeth. Son Bob called his Mother, "the most self-motivated person I've ever met." Her high energy, lively curiosity, love of history and constant engagement in life made for many memorable experiences for her family and others. Following retirement from the Marine Corps in 1967, Nell and Bill returned to Houston. Bill died in 1974. Nell continued to live in Houston the next 25 years, as did her son Bill and his family and son Bob. Nell stayed involved with Rice University, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, family and old friends from Rice and the Marine Corps. At age 75, Nell met Harper Leiper, an old Rice acquaintance, in her adult Sunday School class. They married and had 5 active years together before Harper's death in 1999. She then moved to Austin where her son Bob had relocated and cared for him until his death in 2001. She stayed on in Austin where daughter Ann lived, moving into Ann's home for the last 3 years of her life. She was preceded by her husband, William A. Wood; son, Robert K. Wood as well as Mr. Leiper. She is survived by son, William A. and wife Barbara Wood; son, Anthony A. and wife Betty Wood; daughter, Ann E. Wood; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Nell's funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Roy Akers Funeral Home, 515 North Main, San Antonio, TX (78205). Interment will follow at San Jose Burial Park.