Rita Wood Obituary

Rita Frances (Puchalski) Wood

Oct 10, 1928 - Feb 10, 2023

Sandusky

Rita Frances (Puchalski) Wood, 94, of Sandusky died peacefully Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, (joining her husband on his birthday) at home with her daughter, Kathleen, and granddaughter, Julie, by her side.

Rita was born Oct. 10, 1928, in Dayton, to the late Vincent and Maryanne (Michniewicz) Puchalski. She graduated from Margaretta High School in May, 1947, and married Lamar Wood on June 7, 1947, at Holy Angels, Sandusky. She was a homemaker until her children were older and then began working at the former Hinde & Dauch in Sandusky for 10 years.

In her younger years, Rita, along with her husband, Lamar of 66 years, loved having friends over to play cards or Yahtzee at the kitchen table and having their grandkids stay with them. Rita called her grandkids, "Peaches," and walked them to the convenient store across the street to buy treats or comic books. She was a great role model to her family with a selfless, kind heart and humble, simple way of life. Her favorite things were baking, game shows, word search puzzles, early coin collecting, going to family events, attending TOPS meetings, and keeping hidden snacks and candy by her recliner. She had a strong faith in God and attended Holy Angels Church until she wasn't physically able. Rita once said if she had only two dollars and someone else needed it, she would give it to them.

Most importantly, she was always the one in the family who wanted to celebrate birthdays and holidays together, never missed reunions, and was the glue that kept everyone coming together. Rita truly embodied the heart of the greatest generation. She had so many friends throughout her life and was the best wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. Everyone loved Rita. She will be profoundly missed.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Wood) Beier of Sandusky; grandchildren, Joseph Wood of Powell, Jennifer Years of Farmington, New York, Julia Williams and Andrew Beier, both of Sandusky, and Richie Wood of Lakeland, Florida; great-grandchildren, Brock, Josie, Nick, Julia, Jordan, and Lilly; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Lamar Wood; two sons, Joseph L. Wood Sr. and David R. Wood; and seven siblings, William "Bud" Puchalski, Edward Puchalski, Benedict Puchalski, Martha Wiswell, Joseph Puchalski, Virginia Knox, and Robert "Pee Wee" Puchalski.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Avenue, Sandusky. Fr. Zach Brown will officiate. Committal services for the family will be at Castalia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870.

Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, has been entrusted with arrangements.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.