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Norma Wood Obituary
Norma Jean Spink Wood, 94, passed away on November 12, 2024.
Norma was born on July 19, 1930 in Louisville, Kentucky to Thomas Raymond Spink and Willie Brown. Norma led a life of unwavering purpose, service, faith, and love. At just 18, guided by the advice of her priest, she embarked on her teaching career, which took her from Kentucky to Texas, South Dakota, and eventually Arizona where she joined a convent and dedicated herself to teaching Native American children at St. John's Indian School. Norma earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Marty College and her master's in science from St. Mary's in Winona, Minnesota. It was at St. Mary's where she met her beloved husband, Richard, and together they built a life rooted in love and service, raising their family in Brown County, Indiana.
Norma's devotion to the Catholic Church was the foundation of her life, inspiring her Christlike mission to uplift the underprivileged and those with special needs. Her career spanned teaching science at Greenwood High School to special education at Brown County High School. Her charismatic spirit, profound compassion, and unwavering faith left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Norma had a rare gift for bringing people together in profound ways, creating connections that endured beyond her presence. She was truly loved by most and will be deeply missed; leaving a legacy of kindness, strength, and service to those fortunate enough to have crossed her path.
Norma is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Raymond Spink; mother, Willie Brown; brother, Bill Spink.
Norma is survived by her husband, Richard Leo Wood; son, Frank Duane Wood (Melissa); daughter, Misty Anne Wood-Lively; grandchildren, Elise Bishop, Evan Wood (Rikki), Bethany Bishop (Daniel Willings), Blake Wood (Emmett), Jeremiah Bishop, Collin Wood, Mackenzi Wood, Kyle Hardin, Kayla Hardin; great-grandchildren, Nora Willings, Finley Willings, Kirstin Bishop-McDaniel, Atlas Bishop-McDaniel.
Norma's family will celebrate her life with funeral mass at St. Dominic's Catholic Church on Saturday November 23, 2024, at 10:00 am. Her family will receive friends at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Friday November 22, 2024, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to be made to Little Sisters of the Poor,
St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, or Alzheimer's and Dementia Research.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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