Wood, Della Mae (nee Porter, formerly Hill)

April 3, 1927 — October 26, 2023

Della Mae Wood passed away on October 26, 2023, at the age of ninety-six. She was born in the small farming community of Annabella, Utah, during the Great Depression. Though times were hard she was raised by the love of an extended family and community. As she said, “we were poor, but we never felt poor.”

The world of books opened her young mind. Subsequent education and a literal world of travel broadened and honed it. Following university, she began a 25-year career teaching children. She loved them and they loved her. The love of people was a hallmark of her character. She had a sunny, cheerful disposition, a ready smile, an easy laugh and a shoelace as a hairband. She brightened a room, a conversation and was always there to lift those that needed help.

Those that she especially loved, and who will miss her greatly, are her husband of 48 years Thomas Wood; four children: Kurt Hill (Cyndi) of Kalispell, MT, Kristin Hill (Scott Bartholomew) of Escondido, CA, Sean Wood (Patricia Richards) of Calgary, and Stephen Wood (Amy Mah) of Draper, UT; nine grandchildren: Casey Boswell, Will Hill, Wesley Hill, Alexandra Cameron (Joshua), Brianna Bartholomew, Marcel Bartholomew, Tristan Wood, Rhianna Wood and Noah Wood; seven great-grandchildren: Kristian, Alex, Natalie, Asher, Annabelle, Tucker and Woodrow. Della Mae is also survived by two brothers, LeRoy Porter (Vonda) of Sunnyvale, CA and Blaine Porter of Grafton, WV, a large extended family and many friends. Della Mae was predeceased by her father Earl Porter (1947), mother Afton Nebeker Porter (1980), daughter-in-law Elana Chin (2018), sister-in-law Aniene Porter (2010), and sister-in-law Thea Porter (2023).

A Funeral Service will be held for Della Mae at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Heritage Chapel (935 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary) on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 10:30 am with a visitation from 9:30 to 10:15 am prior to the service. A live stream broadcast will be found at <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83016351396>. Graveside service and interment will take place at the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond, Alberta at 3:30 pm. On May 25, 2024, a celebration of her life will take place in Annabella, UT. In lieu of sending flowers, Della Mae would want you to support your local library.