Shirley Wood Obituary, December 24, 1935 - August 12, 2024 (2024)

Born on Christmas Eve in 1935, Shirely was a gift to her family and friends throughout her life, which ended August 12, 2024. She was a kind and thoughtful person who always saw the good in others. A good listener, she genuinely liked most people, was interested in what they had to say, showed she cared about them, was quick to say thank you for kindness, and to commend others. She was an avid reader and appreciated libraries and was skilled in many sports. She had a good sense of humor, was fun, and -- as those who received her "They Get Weirder Every Year" valentines know -- she occasionally displayed an endearing quirkiness. If you knew Shirley, you probably liked her, and if you knew her well, you were very fond of her.

Born in Gary, Indiana, to Paulean and Rex B. Wood, she was the youngest of seven children. She insisted that she came from a family rich in all the ways that mattered, money just didn't happen to be one of them. She knew she was loved and believed that shaped her life and how she interacted with others. She received a scholarship at Indiana University that reduced room and board in a scholarship dorm where the students had custodial responsibilities. Shirley worked while earning all three of her collegiate degrees. With scholarships, a graduate assistantship and summer jobs, she was able to graduate with honors and debt free.

The financial assistance Shirley received greatly influenced her philanthropic choices. She established two endowed funds at Iowa State -- the Wood Family Tuition Grant, and the Shirley J. Wood Scholarship -- both awarded to working students. The scholarship is earmarked for students seeking teacher licensure. She funded similar scholarships at several other institutions, including Indiana University and the University of Illinois.

She enjoyed her years at IU and knew then that she wanted to be a college faculty member. She taught at a technical-vocational high school in Hammond, Indiana, for two years, then became a faculty member at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. After receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, she accepted a position at Iowa State University in what is now known as the Department of Kinesiology. Prior to becoming department chair in 1991, she was named acting chair on two different occasions. Her first retirement was in 1996, but she was called back to again serve as interim department chair. That was followed by an appointment as acting Associate Dean in the College of Education. Those were not, however, her only acting or interim appointments. She also was tapped to serve as acting Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and briefly as an acting Assistant Athletics Director. Friends teased that it was too bad she couldn't hold a job.

Shirley served the university in many ways. She was the first female to chair the University Curriculum Committee, and at a time when the university was adding programs and changing in many ways. Though she served on 50 other university and college committees and councils, that was probably her favorite for all that was accomplished. She also was the first female to be elected president of the Faculty Bowling League and one of the first women to play in the Faculty Golf League. When she retired, she declared she was never serving on another committee or going to 8 a.m. meetings, and she was reasonably successful with that resolution.

She was fortunate to have outstanding medical care at Mayo Clinic and McFarland Clinic, especially from the wonderful Dr. Brenda Burrough and her nurse, Lori Huffman. She also received loving care from the nurses and staff at the Israel Family Hospice House. There is not room to mention the many people Shirley wanted to thank for so many things, but she hopes you know how much she appreciated your kindness.

Gone before her was her mother and father, sisters Frances and June, and brothers Paul, Jim and Willis. Left knowing how much she loved them are her sister Ruth, long-time friend and companion Elaine Hieber, and the many nephews, nieces and friends she cherished. A private burial will be held at the Iowa State University Cemetery and, at some point, there will be a public gathering to share memories, laughter, and, of course, champagne.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Reiman Garden's Garden Room, 1407 University Boulevard, Ames, Iowa.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Mary Greeley Medical Center patient assistance fund in honor of Dr. Brenda Burrough, or The Bridge Home student assistance fund that provides need-based necessities and opportunities to area youth.

Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com