Phyllis Elise Wood

Mrs. Wood graduated from Brown University Phi Beta Kappa and earned a Master's degree at Boston University. She was a gifted, perceptive learner who was interested in world affairs and nature. Phyllis almost always had reading material in hand.

She was a public school teacher for most of her life, having taught in Milton, Massachusetts, but retiring from the Salem Public Schools, Salem, Massachusetts, after teaching there for over 25 years. After retirement, Phyllis volunteered at the adult literacy program at Operation Bootstrap.

Always an activist, Phyllis participated in peace and nature demonstrations. She also enjoyed traveling abroad, with trips to China, Costa Rica, Europe, Thailand, and across the United States by train. She published a book of her travel memoirs entitled We Never Got to Paris. Phyllis had a passion for drawing nature and collecting cultural artifacts.

Phyllis's grandchildren were the joy of her life. Sittidet Sebastian Chaiyahat, Sittichai Solomon Chaiyahat, and Siddhartha Tongchai Chaiyahat had a special place in Grandma's heart, and her in theirs. She will be sadly missed.

Mrs. Wood is survived by her daughter Sibelia Chaiyahat and her husband, son-in-law Simon Sayyai Mola Chaiyahat of Oceanside, California, and her son Richard Wood of Somerville, Massachusetts. Her precious cat Wallace was a source of unconditional love and affection. She is predeceased by her sister, Nancy Fogg, and her mother and father Margaret (Bessom) Fogg and Edwin A. Fogg respectively. Mrs. Wood was the widow of Arthur M. Wood.

In addition, Phyllis leaves behind many relatives from her extended family. Her friends were many and from all over the United States.

Mrs. Wood requested that no memorial service be held.