Rita B. (Bernard) Wood, 91, of Norman, OK, formally from Bradford, VT, passed away on Monday afternoon, June 9, 2008, surrounded by loved ones, at Norman Specialty Hospital, in Norman, OK.
Rita was born May 29, 1917 in Fall River to the late Peter and Alphonsine (Dufour) Bernard. She was a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River Class of 1934. She attended nursing school at Newport, RI. Before starting her profession in her chosen field, Rita met Russell Wood. They were married in 1937 and lived on an estate in Portsmouth, RI. After the birth of their second son, Rita and Russell moved to Vermont and bought a small farm. A third son was born in Vermont. Rita became a stay at home mom raising three boys and helping out on the farm. She continued to stay busy throughout their upbringing always volunteering, with anything and everything that needed to be done. She enjoyed doing the free clinics at school, was in on every project she could help with church, and often helping in the community when needed, putting her education as a nurse to good use. In 1966 Rita and Russ suffered the loss of their youngest son, Barry Russell Wood (21), killed in Vietnam, with the U.S. Army. Rita was very proud to be a Gold Star Mother. After fifty years of marriage Rita lost Russell in 1988. She continued living in Vermont until 2001 when she decided to move to Norman, OK to be closer to family. She resided in Rivermont Retirement Home, in Norman until her death. Rita had many friends at Rivermont and will be missed. One of her fondest memories was traveling back to the east coast to celebrate her 90th birthday with family.
Survivors include sons Bruce of Norman, OK and Charles and daughter-in-law Elizabeth of Washington, OK; a sister: Yvonne Boissaneau of Swansea; 7 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, a great great grandchild; 3 nieces; a nephew; and many great nieces and nephews.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Monday, June 16, 2008 from the Potter Funeral Home at 9:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Church, Westport at 10:00 A.M.
Interment in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.