Gloria Grimes Wood, 93, of Vero Beach, passed away on May 22, 2016, at home. She is survived by her daughter Marcia Wood-Reitz; granddaughter Loren Zeman; and her brother James Grimes.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wilf Lawrence Wood, and her sons Wilf ‘Larry’ Wood Jr., and Anthony James Wood.
Wood was born Aug. 8, 1922, in Macon, Ga. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 1944 with a BFA in fashion design. She moved to New York at 22 where she met Wilf Lawrence Wood, and they were married later that year.
In 1951 she gave birth to her daughter, closely followed by a son, Wilf “Larry” Wood Jr. She received her Master’s degree in Education from SUNY in 1961. And a year later gave birth to Anthony “Tony” James Wood.
She worked as a teacher in New York until 1969 when she moved to Connecticut. There she became a tour guide, escorting tour groups throughout the US and Europe until retiring in 1985 to Vero Beach.
In Vero Beach she found her calling, becoming President of the Indian River Democratic Women’s Club, as well as President of the local chapter of the National Organization of Women. She was an active supporter of both the American Association of University Women and Planned Parenthood, known for her progressive political views. She chaired the Committee Against Domestic Violence and was a strong voice for women’s equality around the world.
A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2016 at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be made at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
