Myrna Wood

WOOD, MYRNA L. NELSONMyrna Wood, a beloved caregiver, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, joined her Lord, Tuesday, June 4, 2013 after a brief illness. A resident of Albuquerque since 1955, Myrna was born in Port Allegany, PA on March 10, 1925. She met and married Ken Wood, an Albuquerque native, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy and she was a student nurse in New York City. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years of marriage in November 1996. Myrna was a pioneer in the nursing field. In addition to being the first married woman to return to nursing school in New York State, she was one of the first Family Nurse Practitioners in New Mexico. She returned to college at Wichita State University in the mid 1970's and received her Nurse Practitioner license in New Mexico. Then, in 1977, when the physician with whom she was working at that time, W.E. Cohenour, M.D. suffered a heart attack, Myrna kept his office open until his retirement in 1981. She remained in that same office with Wm. Warren, MD as his Nurse Practitioner until Dr. Warren's death in 1984. Myrna then joined Darlene Jelinek and Adrian Groenendyk, M.D. at American Geriatrics and Gerontology specializing in Alzheimer's disease. In 1994, Myrna was recruited by Albuquerque Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and remained there as a Nurse Practitioner until her semi-retirement' in 2000. A large celebration honoring Myrna's life was hosted by Huson Middleton, M.D. and Albuquerque Manor at the Marriott Hotel in October 2000 to celebrate her more than 50 years as a RN and Nurse Practitioner. She stated many times that she was luckier than most as she heard her eulogy that night while she was still able to enjoy and appreciate it. Myrna is survived by her four children, daughter, Barbara Torres and husband, Jim of Tijeras; son, Allen Wood and wife, Debbie of Albuquerque; daughter, Marilu Lake and husband, Doug of Glendale, AZ; and son, Kenneth Wood and wife, Annette of Albuquerque; eight grandchildren, James C. Torres (Church) II, Allen G. Wood Jr. William D. Torres, Kenneth E. (Eddie) Wood, Douglas V. Lake, Timothy M. Lake, Anastasia D. (Stacy) Wood, and Kayleigh L. Wood; eight great grandchildren, James C. (Trey) Torres III, William D. Torres II, Jett C. Torres, Jareth N. Wood, Ethan M. Wood, Emmalyn M. Wood, Caleb A. Wood, and Abbey Wood; sister, Geraldine Nelson of Port Allegany, PA. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Guy M. and Lula M. Nelson of Wrights, PA; sister, Loletta Card and husband, Lawson; brother, Garth Nelson and wife, Iola; and brother, Philip Nelson. Services will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2013, 1:30 p.m., at FRENCH - University. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul NE. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Full Life Foundation, at La Vida Llena Retirement Community 10501 Lagrima de Oro NE, ABQ, NM 87111. Friends may visit FRENCH - University, Friday, June 7, 2013, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.