Patricia Ann “Trish” Wood died Aug. 3, 2005 at Whidbey General Hospital, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was born July 5, 1948, in Sandwich, Mass., to Albert F. and Elizabeth Ann (Smith) Keith. She was the only daughter in a family of four children.
Trish was raised in Sandwich. She attended all 12 grades at Henry T. Wing School in Sandwich. During high school she worked at the soda fountain in her father’s drug store.
Following graduation in 1966, Trish moved to Washington, D.C. and began her secretarial career at the Pentagon. From there she moved to Groton, Conn., working at the Naval Submarine Base. She moved on the Cape Cod and the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
While at Cape Cod, Trish met a young Coast Guard Pilot, John P. Wood, Jr. On June 1, 1975, she and John were married in Sandwich, Mass.
Trish moved with her husband to Sitka, Alaska and worked for the National Wildlife Service and then the Federal Aviation Agency. The Wood family was transferred to California and Trish went to work at Redwood National Park in Eureka. In 1981, Trish and her family moved to Whidbey Island, settling in Coupeville.
Trish worked 23 years for Whidbey General Hospital, the past 15 years working as secretary for the Emergency Medical Services department.
Trish enjoyed playing tennis, traveling, and most of all, being with her family and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of the Coupeville United Methodist Church.
Trish is survived by her husband John at the family home, Coupeville. She is survived by three children: Edward Wayne Wood of Bellevue; Rebecca Elizabeth Ching and husband Jason of Oak Harbor; and Kira Lynne Bravo and husband William of Sedro Woolley. Three brothers, James Keith of Concord, Mass; Harold Keith of Reno, Nev., and Gary Keith of Fairfax, Station, Va. Four grandchildren, Megan Danielle Wood, Ariel Chanel Ching, Kiah Sierra Ching and Madeline Christine Ching, all of Oak Harbor. Her parents preceded her in death.
Visitation for family and friends will be at Burley Funeral Chapel on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville, on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Mary Boyd of the Coupeville United Methodist officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.