Alma Wood

1931 - 2007

Alma Wood passed away Dec. 23, 2007, after a very long courageous battle with multiple sclerosis.

Alma was born in Pueblo, Colo., April 22, 1931. She was raised on a farm and knew the hardship of growing up and surviving the depression years.

When she was in the fourth grade, she drove her father's tractor to help pull out an overturned school bus. She was very active in the 4-H where she was president. When she was a junior in high school she took over as a substitute teacher for a second grade class. She graduated from the Crowley Consolidated School District where she was a salutatorian and earned a scholarship. She attended the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley.

In 1951, when she was 19, she went to Europe for three months with the National Student Association, a work camp tour, where she did various projects including working in Denmark doing archaeological excavation.

Alma Wood enjoyed living in Colorado, Massachusetts, Newport Beach, Calif., and her favorite place was Ventura.

She worked as an office manager for many years but her true career calling was being a Ventura community activist. Her many accomplishments included vice-president of the Ventura County Fair Board, advisory director-Western Fairs Association, chairman of the $7,000,000 City Bond, chairman of Ventura Parks and Recreation Commission, director of California Associating Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members. She was a member of the Legislative Committee of California Parks and Recreation Society, Air Pollution Control District Advisory Board, Comprehensive Plan Advisor Committee, County Regional Land Use Plan, County Urban Services Advisory Committee, Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce and San Buenaventura Heritage Research Team. For 20 years she was an officer for the League of Women Voters in Massachusetts and California. In 1973 she was campaign manager for Ira Laufer, City Council. When in 1975 she ran for city council, many of us remember her campaign slogan, "Who Would, Alma Wood." If it wasn't for Alma's persistence at developing this favorite Ventura beach park, many thousands of families may never have enjoyed Marina Park.

When Alma purchased a new vehicle, she fondly remembered going on road trips with her son, Tom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and John Wood, and brother, Norman Wood.

She is survived by her sons, David, Reggie and Tom (wife Andrea); Tema Pazirandeh, who was not only her nurse and a caregiver, she was like a daughter; granddaughters, Neocle, Joslyn, Melissa, Ashlie and Tiffanie, sisters, Norma, Maxine and Bertie; and all of their families and cousins, nieces; nephews, family and friends. Tema and David purchased a house and converted it to an assisted living home so that Alma could live out her years being as comfortable as possible living in a home surrounded by loving family and caregivers.

We will remember her for her strong will at end her sense of humor her love for her family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis National Research Institute, 3550 General Atomics Court, Suite 2-129, San Diego, CA 92121.