Mary Jo Anne Wood

March 24, 1950 - May 10, 2024

On Friday, May 10, Mary Jo Wood, a beloved wife, mother, sister and aunt died due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. She was 74 years old.

Born in Polson, Montana, she was the third of ten children born to Nick and LaVina Petruska. At an early age, the family moved to Anaconda MT, where she grew up and attended Anaconda High School. During her high school years, she worked at Lou's drive in, a popular hang out for all the kids. After High school, she took a job at the Warm Springs State Mental hospital where her passion for helping people was developed.

Not long after high school, she followed her older brother Nick Jr, and moved to the Seattle/Puget Sound area, where she would live for the rest of her life. In 1975, while working as a Bartender at Mattie McGees, a Renton restaurant and bar, she met her future husband, Jeff. He worked across the parking lot at the local QFC grocery store. Jeff, and his boat racing friends would often come into Mattie's and Mary Jo always served them and became friends with most of them. One night, it was decided that after Mary Jo got off work, she would join the group at another Renton area bar. Pre-arranged by the other boat racers, and unknown by Mary Jo and Jeff, they were the only two to show up. They began dating, and were married in 1979, and shared the next 45 years together.

Following the birth of the first of three children they would have, Mary Jo decided she wanted to be a stay at home mother and quit her job as restaurant manager of the Top Notch restaurant near the University of Washington. As her son and two daughters grew and went to school, Mary Jo's passion for helping others blossomed and she began volunteering at each of their schools. She often helped the teachers with some of their administrative work, helped students one on one who needed help with their reading, organized field trips, and coordinated the annual high school Daddy/Daughter dances. On parent/teacher days, Mary Jo would often prepare food and serve lunch to all the teachers. As a result of her work with the schools, she was awarded several "golden acorn" awards by the PTA.

In addition to Mary Jo's work at the schools, she took an active roll in her children's outside activities. She became president of the gymnastics booster club, organized fundraising auctions and coordinated the Regional Championships when her son was involved in gymnastics. She became an assistant coach of the junior high dance team when her daughters were on the team, and largely due to her efforts, a water polo club was created through the high school.

At home, Mary Jo was devoted to her family and friends, often hosting large get-togethers and holiday events. It was not uncommon for 20-30 people to show up for a holiday celebration. One year, she hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for 50 people, including family, friends and neighbors. She insisted on a sit down meal instead of a buffet.

Mary Jo's house was always a gathering spot for all the kid's friends. They were welcomed at any time and would often show up, walk right in and go to her pantry for food and snacks. If one of the kids didn't find their favorite snack, it would be there the next time they came over. Several times, even though her kids were not there, their friends would show up just to talk to Mary Jo and Jeff.

Mary Jo became caregiver for Jeff's mother during her declining health, and assisted as caregiver for both her father and mother in their last years.

After Jeff's retirement, Mary Jo and Jeff purchased a condo in Phoenix, AZ, and spent 5 or 6 months there a year. Mary Jo took up golf and she and Jeff would play 2 to 3 times a week. She also loved the fact that it was close to their youngest daughter, and her family, who live in the Phoenix area.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Terry and Rodney. She is survived by her husband Jeff, son Jeff Jr (Brandy), daughters Kim (Josh) and Kristen (Toby). She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, who she loved dearly, Jeffery III, Olivia, Juliette, Justin and Jackson. She also leaves brothers Nick, Gary and Ron, and sisters Jan, Vicki, Patti and JerriLee, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial service for Mary Jo will be held on Tuesday, June 4th at 11:00 am at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle, WA 98133. A reception will be held at that location followed by Interment at 3:00pm in the Columbarium.

Memorials to honor Mary Jo can be made to University of Washington Memory and Brain Wellness Center Fund, American Cancer Society or Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington State.