Dona Rae Wood

DONA RAE WOOD Funeral services for Dona Rae Wood will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 13 at the Montelores Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Lewis Cemetery. Pastor Neely Lewis will officiate along with Dona?s father-in-law, Elder Conway Wood of the Rio Grande Primitive Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, N.M. A visitation has been scheduled for Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Dona was born on December 10, 1955 in Alameda, Calif. the daughter of Raymond Edward and Wilma Mae (Pharris) Luiz. She passed away peacefully at home, with her husband, Peck by her side on Sunday, October 7, 2007 in Albuquerque, N.M. at the age of 51. Dona married David "Peck" Wood on July 10, 1976 in Fremont, Calif. and then lived in Bluff, Utah from 1976 to 1982. Peck and Dona then moved to Cortez for a short time and then eventually moved to the San Francisco Bay area to Fremont, Calif. for 18 years. Dona gave birth to two very special girls, Nakia in 1977 and Lacy in 1979. She stayed home and chose to raise her children their entire childhood. She was a very compassionate mother and always spent quality time with her children. On February 20, 2006, Dona witnessed her first and only grandchild?s birth, Cruz David Madrigal. She was so very much involved in Cruz' life, up to the end. Dona's hobbies included tubing down the Stanislaus River at Knight's Ferry, Calif. where she would often go camping next to the river with her two daughters and Peck. Many times the neighbor kids would go camping and tubing with her. Dona's beloved cats even went tubing with her. Her cat named "Patoot" was very special to her as she adopted Patoot in Knight's Ferry from a 90 year old Russian lady named Olga. Olga said Patoot was abandoned by its mother and would die soon without proper milk and nourishment. So being the person Dona was, of course she picked Patoot. Patoot is still surviving well to this day, thanks to Dona's very kind, considerate and loving nature. Dona had a talent to write poetry. She wrote many poems for friends and family, and even compiled many of the poems into a book, giving them away to special people in her life. Dona lived in Lewis for seven years and fell in love with the country. She would often volunteer at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on Friday mornings where they had singing, prayer and church services for the nursing home residents. She made many friendships there and would often mention how "sweet" they were there. Dona's husband, Peck remembers her first smile when he met her in Bluff, Utah on January 3, 1976 and he remembers her very last smile on Saturday, October 6, 2007 when she insisted on buying a snow cone from the little ice cream truck in Albuquerque. She was so happy to buy the snow cone for one dollar, that she wanted to give her last two dollars to two young boys. The two young boys were bare-footed and had only 25 cents, not enough to buy a snow cone. So being the kind person she was, she gave her last two dollars to the young boys and this gave Dona much happiness seeing the boys? faces light up with great big smiles! Up to the very last day of her life she was still giving, because that's just who she was. Dona has requested to come home to Lewis, Colo. to lay at rest, as she felt at peace for the last seven years, living in the country. Surviving Dona are her husband, David "Peck" Wood of Albuquerque, N.M.; her daughters, Nakia Madrigal and husband, David of Fremont, Calif., and Lacy Wood of Castro Valley, Calif.; her grandson, Cruz David Madrigal; her siblings, Richard Luiz and wife, Darla of Fallon, Nev., Linda Rodrigues and husband, Jim of San Lorenzo, Calif. On behalf of Dona's wishes, she has requested a college memorial fund be set up at Dolores State Bank, P.O. Box 848, Dolores, Colo. 81323. In lieu of sending flowers, please kindly make a donation to the Cruz Madrigal Account. This is Dona's way to continue loving and giving support after she has passed away. TOUCHED BY LOVE Poem By Dona Rae Wood 1995 Dona Rae Wood If you should touch the tide Before I reach the shore; Or find someone upon this earth, Who might love you even more! Then my heart shall stop it?s beat For no reason shall remain; No pulse be heard, no feelings felt, Nothing possibly to gain! For all the love you?ve given me While I?ve lived this life on earth; Has brought me strength & happiness, Giving back to me self worth! For if a man like you Could love someone like me; There must be something hidden there, What is it that you see? I feel as if I?m blessed To have shared my life with you; I hope I only make you feel, That you?re awfully special too! So if one day you feel the waves Brush up against your skin; Step back? remain, don?t leave just yet, Return to where you?ve been! If anyone goes, it shall be me I know you could remain; Your strength will pass on memories, Behind discard the pain! To thank you for the many gifts You brought & shared in life; Can?t be expressed in words alone, I?m proud I was your wife! It?s said when you leave this world All that you take is good; I find you in each & every frame, And it?s clearly understood! Each time I think of happiness Or hopes to build a dream; You occupy the passing thoughts, And reassure it seems! God knows just why he brought me here To be touched by real love; So I will have something to carry back, When I climb the steps above! So thank you dear for giving me A reason to survive; Somehow you?ve always had the gift, To make me feel alive! Because of you I now can go Waves wash away my being; It can?t be you I?ve yet to pass, We know what might be seen! This way?s better to stay among others Spread talents you possess; Share all the things God?s given you, Inspire, give nothing less! Good-bye my love, Find peace in knowing You could have given no more; You?re one of the few to reach my inner, And understand my core! DONA