Leslie Wood

Leslie Ann (Rideout) Wood, age 72, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on September 29, 1953, in Toledo, Leslie was the beloved daughter of Lester Paul and Frances Patricia (Korhumel) Rideout. She grew up in South Toledo and spent most of her life in the area before moving to Arkansas in her final years to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, John Rideout. She is survived by her devoted husband of 30 years, James Wood; her children, Matt Wood, Mellissa Wood, and Wes (Catie) Wood; and her treasured grandchildren, Avrey, Isaiah, Clara, Braylee, and Cora. She is also survived by her siblings, Joe (Bev) Rideout, Mark Rideout, and Patty Rideout; as well as her beloved nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, aunts and uncle, and many cousins and friends.

She pursued her education with determination, graduating from McAuley High School before continuing on to St. Vincent School of Nursing. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Nursing from University of Toledo, and later completed a Master's degree in Early Childhood Development, reflecting her deep commitment to the care and development of children.

A dedicated and compassionate nurse, Leslie devoted 40 years to caring for others as a NICU nurse and transport nurse at Toledo Children's Hospital. Her passion for helping the most vulnerable extended beyond the bedside. She authored a booklet on infant stimulation techniques for parents, published by the hospital and later included in the Library of Congress, leaving a lasting impact on countless families. She also shared her knowledge by teaching lectures on NICU care, infant development, and addressing NICU parental concerns at the University of Toledo, Lourdes College and Owens Technical College. She even opened her home to foster an infant from the NICU, reflecting her extraordinary generosity and heart.

Leslie's life was defined by service. She volunteered with Lucas County Juvenile Court and served as Chairperson of the Citizen's Review Board, receiving the 2002 Award of Excellence for her leadership and dedication. She also donated over three gallons of blood and platelets, quietly saving lives through her generosity.

Her involvement in the community began at a young age, serving as a Junior Leader at the YMCA, where she inspired and supported young people. She later worked with students at Arlington School on service projects to create holiday decorations for babies and families receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Toledo Children's Hospital.

A woman of faith, Leslie was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (OLPH) in Toledo, where she attended grade school and remained closely connected throughout her life. After moving to Arkansas, she attended St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, where she continued to practice her faith. The family appreciates Father Norbert and Sister Klaudia's many visits and prayers over the last few months.

She found great joy in life's creative and simple pleasures. An avid baker, she was especially known for her many varieties of Christmas cookies and for sharing trays of them with friends and family. She loved spending time with her family at the Toledo Zoo, on family vacations, baking cookies with her grandchildren, and traveling with her husband, creating lasting memories.

A talented seamstress and crafter, she lovingly created clothing for American Girl and Barbie dolls, dresses for her granddaughters, Irish dance costume for her niece, blankets, and countless handmade items, including needlepoint, cross-stitch, knitting, crochet, and Christmas ornaments shared with family and friends over the years. Her kindness extended into her work, where she made holiday costumes for NICU babies and sewed masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She had a deep love for the arts and was a devoted supporter of Broadway musicals, holding season tickets to the Stranahan Broadway Series for nearly 30 years. She also loved all things Disney, especially Winnie the Pooh, and was a loyal fan of the Toledo Rockets, enjoying many football seasons as a ticket holder alongside close friends.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Hospice of the Ozarks Home Care and Hospice House, whose kindness and support brought comfort during her final days.

Visitation will take place at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Thursday, April 23 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm., with a Rosary service at 6:30.

A Mass and celebration of Leslie's life will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (OLPH) in Toledo, Ohio, at 10:00 am on Friday, April 24, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Ozarks in Leslie's honor.

She will be remembered for her boundless compassion, creativity, and unwavering love for her family, friends and community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the family she cherished. Please view Leslie's video tribute leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.