Susan
Susan Ann Dondero Wood
d. October 2, 2014
1956~2014
Susan Ann Dondero Wood passed away unexpectedly in the arms of her sweetheart at the age of 57 on Thursday, October 2, 2014, in Springville, Utah. She had struggled valiantly against cancer for a number of years and had recently undergone major surgery with unforeseen complications. Born on December 3, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri, she was the oldest of three children born to Pete and Nancy Dixon Dondero.
Growing up in Indio, California, she graduated from Indio High School in 1975 with honors and later obtained a Bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University in elementary education. Her personal education was further broadened with student abroad programs in Europe and the Holy Land.
She met the love of her live in high school, starting with guitar lessons that later became free, and with her contagious smile and engaging personality she initiated a relationship that would last forever. After a period of dating and then waiting for him to complete his missionary service in Argentina, she married Kyle Blaine Wood in the Los Angeles temple on June 15, 1979.
As a convert to the LDS faith she had a strong testimony of the gospel and a great love for the Savior. She was always quick to volunteer for service projects and helping others in need. She served in the Relief Society Presidency and the Young Women's programs as well as teaching in Primary and being involved in Scouting.
Her great passion in life centered upon her family and there were endless family activities including birthday parties, barbecues, reunions, vacations to Disneyland and the California beaches. With her husband she faithfully transported the children to soccer matches, gymnastic meets, and music recitals. She loved dressing her grandchildren in matching outfits and playing games with them, and there were never enough family pictures in her home. Her affinity for taking pictures undoubtedly stemmed from the many years she worked at Snelsons Photo in Springville. In addition to her photo shooting, Susan had an avid interest in reading and engaging her mom in competitive card games. She especially enjoyed early morning jogs or walks with her husband Kyle. Hers was a purpose driven life, she lived it to the fullest, and she will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her husband of thirty-five years, her mother Nancy Dondero, her brother David Dondero of Mi-wuk Village, California, and her four children Shannon (Jared) Burton of Saratoga Springs, Utah; Melissa (Christopher) Olson of Payson, Utah; Catelynn (Toby) Gulley of Spanish Fork, Utah; Tyler Wood of Provo, Utah, and her five grandchildren, Jamison, Avery, Jack, Griffin, and Emelia. She was preceded in death by her father Pete Dondero and a sister Laura Dondero.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 6, 2014 in the LDS 2 Ward Chapel, 1785 East 400 South, Springville at 11 a.m. Viewings will be held Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East.
Susan Ann Dondero Wood passed away unexpectedly in the arms of her sweetheart at the age of 57 on Thursday, October 2, 2014, in Springville, Utah. She had struggled valiantly against cancer for a number of years and had recently undergone major surgery with unforeseen complications. Born on December 3, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri, she was the oldest of three children born to Pete and Nancy Dixon Dondero.
Growing up in Indio, California, she graduated from Indio High School in 1975 with honors and later obtained a Bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University in elementary education. Her personal education was further broadened with student abroad programs in Europe and the Holy Land.
She met the love of her live in high school, starting with guitar lessons that later became free, and with her contagious smile and engaging personality she initiated a relationship that would last forever. After a period of dating and then waiting for him to complete his missionary service in Argentina, she married Kyle Blaine Wood in the Los Angeles temple on June 15, 1979.
As a convert to the LDS faith she had a strong testimony of the gospel and a great love for the Savior. She was always quick to volunteer for service projects and helping others in need. She served in the Relief Society Presidency and the Young Women's programs as well as teaching in Primary and being involved in Scouting.
Her great passion in life centered upon her family and there were endless family activities including birthday parties, barbecues, reunions, vacations to Disneyland and the California beaches. With her husband she faithfully transported the children to soccer matches, gymnastic meets, and music recitals. She loved dressing her grandchildren in matching outfits and playing games with them, and there were never enough family pictures in her home. Her affinity for taking pictures undoubtedly stemmed from the many years she worked at Snelsons Photo in Springville. In addition to her photo shooting, Susan had an avid interest in reading and engaging her mom in competitive card games. She especially enjoyed early morning jogs or walks with her husband Kyle. Hers was a purpose driven life, she lived it to the fullest, and she will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her husband of thirty-five years, her mother Nancy Dondero, her brother David Dondero of Mi-wuk Village, California, and her four children Shannon (Jared) Burton of Saratoga Springs, Utah; Melissa (Christopher) Olson of Payson, Utah; Catelynn (Toby) Gulley of Spanish Fork, Utah; Tyler Wood of Provo, Utah, and her five grandchildren, Jamison, Avery, Jack, Griffin, and Emelia. She was preceded in death by her father Pete Dondero and a sister Laura Dondero.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 6, 2014 in the LDS 2 Ward Chapel, 1785 East 400 South, Springville at 11 a.m. Viewings will be held Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East.
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