ShirLee Wood

ShirLee Forbes Wood

July 29, 1936 – December 7, 2017

ShirLee Forbes Wood, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, returned to her heavenly home on December 7, 2017.   She was born on July 29, 1936, in Clearfield, Utah to John Philip and Ellen B. Anderson Forbes.  ShirLee had the good fortune of growing up on a farm, where she learned the valued principles of hard work and self reliance.  She attended schools in Davis County and graduated from Davis High School.

On August 27, 1958, ShirLee married her sweetheart and eternal companion, Lynn Willey Wood in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, and they established their home in Layton, Utah.   In the early years of their marriage she was employed as a secretary at Hill Air Force Base.  With the passing of Lynn’s sister, Maudell, in 1963, Lynn and ShirLee readily accepted the responsibility of raising her four young children.  Within just a few years, the new little family eagerly awaited the arrival of a baby brother, Matthew Lynn Wood, who was born in 1966.

ShirLee dedicated her life to her family, and loved them with all her heart.  She taught them by example to love one another, work hard, and serve their Heavenly Father and their fellowmen.  Great were her sacrifices, and never-ending will be her influence for good.  She was a woman of quiet strength and integrity, and possessed a deep and abiding testimony of her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ.  She found great joy in learning about her ancestors and taught classes about how to do family history research.  ShirLee truly was the “wind beneath the wings” of her beloved Lynn.  They complimented each other in every way, and were the perfect “team”, always supporting and encouraging one another in every aspect of life.  She served with distinction beside her husband in many capacities, including Canada Halifax Mission President, Provo Missionary Training Center 1st Counselor, and New Zealand Missionary Training Center President.  She became an indispensable asset to the Missionary Department where she volunteered her services for many years.   She was a trusted, loyal, and compassionate friend to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

ShirLee is survived by her five children, Don (Judy) Wood, Clearfield, Mary Lynn Baird, (Kaysville), James (Deb) Wood, Syracuse, Brian (Renee) Wood, Centerville, Matthew (Julie) Wood, Mapleton; 33 grandchildren and 69 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters Elma Thurgood, and Carla McCann.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, Myron, Dean, and John, and her sisters, Maurine and Ruth.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 14, at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton Park LDS Ward building, located at 789 East Wasatch Drive, Layton, Utah, 84041. Friends may visit with family Wednesday evening, December 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist Mortuary 1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah, and Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Layton Park ward building.

Interment will be at the Kaysville City Cemetery.