Marjorie J. Wood

Born Marjorie Jane Gomer, June 14, 1934, in Akron, Ohio, to Walter and Martha Gomer. Margie, at the very young age of 86 departed this world peacefully with her son, Jim, by her side on August 18, 2020, and entered into God's loving arms in Heaven. She is now reunited with her husband, Wally, whom she was married to for 54 years, her parents, her beloved Dog, Ace, along with a host of many more of her furry friends who will be excitedly wagging their tails and meowing when they greet her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Margie lived her entire life in Akron Ohio, residing on the same street in three different homes on Ewart Drive in Springfield Township. She attended Springfield Schools, but did not graduate. Instead, working hard and very determined, Margie went back to school and received her GED at the age of 66! So impressed with her tenacity, her GED instructors asked her to represent the class and give a speech at graduation in 2000. At 4 foot 9 inches tall, they had to place a stool at the podium so she could reach the microphone.

Margie had many careers in her lifetime including beautician, licensed realtor, "lunch lady" for Springfield Schools, and landlord for her rental properties. She and Wally loved traveling in their Winnebago and ventured all over the United States. They also got to see the world with their kids, Laura and Jim, through the Akron Cadet-ettes Baton and Drum Corps, touring Europe, England, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii. After Wally passed away in 2005, it was suggested by a few that Margie may want to sell the motor home. "Absolutely not" were her words! And off she went with her dogs barely seeing over the steering wheel driving her 35 foot motor home "all by herself." Margie enjoyed many Winnebago campouts with the Buckeye Winnies.

Many of us knew there was one thing you could never accomplish with "Marge" and that was to attempt to tell her she "could not do something." She had no trouble at all demonstrating her dogged determination to live life her way or the highway. A stubborn, tenacious, feisty, spitfire, Marge's favorite things in life in addition to her travels were hot black coffee, frozen margaritas, cigarettes, playing the slots at West Virginia casinos (because W.VA. still allowed smoking), musicals and shows, her dogs and cats, the Golden Coral Buffet and finding a deal at the Dollar Store or the Wal-Mart day-old bakery counter. She loved going out to eat with her family and friends.

Never on time, she often consistently (on a good day) showed up 30-minutes behind schedule. She enjoyed being "Nana" or "Grandma Mandy" to Benjamin, Brad, Kendall, and Kyler, and ironically would have become a great-grandmother on August 19 to Brayden Baird deForest, born to Ashleigh and Ben at Summa Hospital in Akron where she had passed away the day before. Margie will be remembered for her fierce independence, her love of life, and her devotion to her animals. All who knew her were amazed that this relatively small human at under 5 feet could live life so large. Even though she has left us, the "Marge Stories" will surely continue to make us all smile and LOL in the days and years to come! Thank you, Margie, for touching each and every one of us in your own special Marge way! You are and will be missed!

Margie is survived by her daughter, Laura deForest (Kevin Gorbett) and son, James Wood (Suzanne Gabric). Her grandchildren, Ben deForest (Ashleigh Neff), Brad deForest, Kendall Wood, and Kyler Wood, and great-grandson, Brayden deForest. Her long-time dear sweet friends, Sharon Messner, Jean Nagy, and Shirley Fielders. Her SHS "Lunch Lady" friends. And her best friend of all, 15-year-old Yorkie-Poo, Mandy.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 30, 2020 2-5 p.m. at The Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Road, Akron, OH 44305. A private family graveside service will be held on Monday, August 31. In memory of Marjorie, memorial contributions can be made to Humane Society of Summit County, 7996 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087.