Patricia Jane Wood

Patricia Jane (Brown) Wood passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 surrounded by her family. Pat was born March 1, 1939 in Bellingham, Washington to George and Mamie (Rich) Brown. She had three older sisters, Hazel, Gloria, and Bonnie, and one older brother, Richard. Raised as a member of the Salvation Army, Pat played her coronet in the Salvation Army band with her three sisters and father. When she was 12 years old she would visit the local jail with her family on Sundays where they would minister through word and music to whomever was there. Pat would accompany them on her accordion. By the time Pat was in high school just she and her father would go to the jail to play music and bring comfort to all who were there. Pat was always active in music and started her training at the age of 6 and played the piano, trumpet and accordion. She was one of 6 pianists for her high school choir and drama productions. As a teenager she was employed by the radio station and had a weekly time slot singing live. Pat attended school and graduated from Bellingham High in 1957. After high school she worked for Stark Piano Company. Pat met a handsome young sailor (Arlo Wood) and married him three months later on September 20, 1958 in Bellingham, Washington. She converted and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Arlo. Pat was active in music wherever they lived and served in many ward and stake callings. However, her favorite calling was teaching the Blazer Boys for three years who initially brought a snake to class hoping to scare her away. With plenty of love on her part the boys soon trusted and loved her in return. All of those boys received their Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts of America by the time they were 14 – something she was very proud of. While living in Provo Pat served on the BYU opera board. Later in life Pat and Arlo worked 3 summers in Excursion Inlet, Alaska for the Wards Cove Company. Although Pat and Arlo were dealing with difficult health issues they chose to serve a two year proselyting L.D.S. mission and served faithfully in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2001. She enjoyed singing during the holidays with the Cantabiles, Upper Valley Choir, and the Melodaires. However, her greatest joy and success was being a devoted wife, full-time mother and grandmother. Pat is preceeded in death by her husband, Arlo. She is survived by her four children: John (Jeanne Gross) Wood of Vernal, Utah, Wendy (Alan) Frogget of Gardnerville, Nevada, Linda (Scott) Sterling of Auburn, Washington, and Hazel (Kevon) Polatis of Rexburg, Idaho. She has 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Salem LDS 1st Ward Chapel (3462 North Salem Road Rexburg, Idaho 83440). Viewings will be held Friday evening, February 24, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and again prior to services on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the Salem 1st Ward Chapel. The interment will be in the Bates Cemetery.