Trudi Wood

Gertrude Marie (Nelson) Wood Passed away peacefully on March 10, 2018 in Urbana, IL.  She was 94.  Born in Chicago, “Trudi” was always a city girl, and her love for the bright lights and excitement of Chicago and New York stayed with her throughout her life.  She grew up in the small town of Woodhull, IL.  A 1942 graduate of Woodhull High School, Trudi worked for the USO and served with the U.S. Navy WAVES during World War II.  After the war, she studied at the University of Chicago and Roosevelt College before marrying Ralph J. Wood, Jr. in 1946.  She graduated from Roosevelt College in 1949.  Trudi and Ralph moved to the Marynook neighborhood of Chicago, and then to the south suburb of Flossmoor while she raised her family.  Trudi and Ralph then moved to Carl Sandburg Village in Chicago’s near north side.  The 19 years she spent living there in the 1900s and early 2000s were some of her happiest, as she and her husband immersed themselves in the arts, politics, and travel.  Trudi was a longtime member of the League of Women Voters, and a passionate supporter of liberal causes, public television, and her local library.  She was a fan of the Goodman Theatre, the Chicago Symphony, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and good books (especially histories and mysteries).  She also worked as the office manager for Gerwood, Inc. and the Ralph J. Wood Organization for over 40 years.  In later years, Trudi and Ralph moved to the Clark-Lindsey retirement community in Urbana.  Pre-deceased by Ralph, her husband of 66 years, she is survived by her five children:  Elizabeth Berry (Chuck) of State College, PA; R. Jay Wood III (Janine) of Deerfield, IL; Cynthia Loui (Michael) of Urbana, IL; Maggie Cowan (John) of Chicago; and Richard Wood (Laura Haas) of Somerville, MA; as well as her six grandchildren, and sisters Shirley Knutson of Tacoma, WA and Natalie Hernandez of Buelton, CA, along with brother Jim Nelson of Livermore, CA.  The family will have a private memorial on her birthday in July.  Donations can be made to support NPR, your local public television station or the American Civil Liberties Union.  Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com

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