Kathleen M. Wood

Kathleen McFarland Wood, 80, of Fort Collins, died Oct. 13, 2021, in Fort Collins. Kathleen was born June 13, 1941, in Jamestown, N.Y., to William and Antoinette McFarland. She lived for many years in Binghamton, N.Y., before graduating from Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University) in Washington, D.C. in 1963.

While attending college, she met the love of her life, West Point Cadet Robert Herron Wood, at a dance in Washington celebrating the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. They married Dec. 28, 1963, and Kathleen embarked on a life as a military spouse, accompanying her husband to many far-flung bases, including those in Hawaii and Berlin, Germany.

While Robert served twice in Vietnam, Kathleen served as the support for her own family and for other wives in similar situations. Throughout his career in the military, she played a vital role mentoring younger officers' wives.

Together, Kathleen and Robert raised three children, providing them with an enduring model of love, selflessness and faith. They retired in 1991, moving to Colorado and enjoying many happy years together. Thrilled to finally have a permanent home, Kathleen vowed never to move away from Fort Collins and formed deep friendships through St. Joseph's Catholic Church and through her hobbies, most notably her quilting groups.

Kathleen was a skilled craftswoman, creating beautiful quilts and needlepoint pieces. She gave freely of her time to others through the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary (the Angels) and supported many local charities. She enjoyed cooking, bowling, bridge and puzzles of all kinds.

Kathleen and Robert endured deep sorrow together, grieving the deaths of two of their children, Robert Herron Wood, Jr. in 2012, and Elizabeth Kathryn Wood in 2013. Kathleen was predeceased by her husband in 2015.

Survivors include her daughter, Suzanne (Mike) Koziatek, Belleville, Ill.; daughter-in-law Charlotte Wood, Grand Forks, N.D.; sisters Anne (Mike) Farrell, Weymouth, Mass., and Ellen Keough, Johns Creek, Ga.; grandchildren Nik (Brittany) Stormwood, Woodbridge, Va., William Wood, St. Paul, Minn., Benjamin Wood, Fargo, N.D., Michael Koziatek and Julia Koziatek, Belleville, Ill.; great-grandchild, Idris Stormwood, Woodbridge, Va.; and countless dear friends.

A visitation and Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 300 West Mountain Ave., Fort Collins. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at St. Joseph's. Mass will also be streamed for those unable to attend. Links are below. Interment follows the Mass at Roselawn Cemetery. A reception will take place afterwards in the downstairs dining area of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Please make any memorial donations to the Food Bank for Larimer County, 1301 Blue Spruce Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.

Live stream links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfTYqQ96sVNl3ED-UZFF0eA

https://www.facebook.com/StJosephChurchFC/