DURHAM – Dorothy S. Wood, 74, died suddenly Christmas morning, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023.
Dot was born on April 5, 1949, in Hamilton Field, California, to MSgt. Oliver J. Sarnes, USAF, and Ella Svendsen Sarnes. As her father was in the Air Force, she lived in several places, including California, New Jersey, Washington, DC, four years in Japan, and Mascoutah, Illinois, where she graduated from high school.
After graduation Dot moved to Durham and attended Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Albany. She married the love of her life, George L. Wood, and with him raised four daughters, of whom she was immensely proud. Dot loved to spend time with her grandchildren and looked forward to the time spent with them. Through FaceTime, she was able to see her youngest great-granddaughter grow over the first year of her life, and she was looking forward to the birth of her fourth great-granddaughter in May 2024.
Dot was the cafeteria manager at Cairo-Durham Junior-Senior High School, retiring several years ago. She was a Life Member of the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, where she served as president, secretary and treasurer, and was chair of many committees to run functions such as weddings, banquets, corporate picnics and fairs. She also was a Life Member of the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company, where she was the first female member. She served as secretary and was a member of the fire police.
Dot spent countless hours on fundraising efforts for the Ladies Auxiliary and the fire company, and never hesitated to respond, either as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary with food and drink, or as a member of the fire company when the siren sounded. She also was certified by the American Red Cross to provide swimming lessons, and provided them as part of the Durham swimming program each summer.
Dot loved to play golf and would play four or five days a week. She was in the ladies’ league at Thunderhart Golf Course, and with her husband in the couples’ league. She also played in a ladies’ inter-county league. Even though her illnesses slowed her down, she was able to play golf one last time in the Oak Hill-Durham Ladies Auxiliary 26th annual tournament at Sunny Hill Golf Course on Aug. 6, 2023.
Dot is survived by her husband of 55 years, George L. Wood; her daughters, Cheryl “Cherie” Wood of Delmar, Lillian (Alan) Beechert of Durham, Connie (Thomas) Whitbeck of Durham, and Becky (Scott) Hulbert of Cornwallville; four grandchildren, Warrant Officer Cody (Larissa) Byrnes, USMC, of Kailua, HI, Kayla (Beau) Byrnes of Cairo, Myia and Kylie Hulbert of Greenville; three great-granddaughters; siblings, Ella Curry of North Ft. Meyers, FL, and Kenneth (Michelle) Sarnes of New Jersey; sisters-in-law, Julia “Cam” Wood of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Linda Richards of Spokane Valley, Washington, and Maria Wood of Rensselaerville; brother-in-law, Steven Wood of Rensselaerville; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Dot was predeceased by two brothers, Oliver F. Sarnes, and 1st Lt. Michael W. Sarnes, USMC; brothers-in-law, Thomas G. Wood, Walter “Buddy” Wood, Francis “Sonny” Curry, and Joseph Richards; sisters-in-law, Ilene Baitsholts, and Barbara Wood.
Calling hours were Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. Officers and members of the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary conducted a service at 3:30 p.m., and the Rev. Reay Mahler conducted a funeral service at 4 p.m. A celebration of Dorothy’s life followed at the Oak Hill-Durham Fire House. Private cremation will take place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company, 103 County Route 22, Oak Hill, NY 12460 will be appreciated. Condolence page is available at ajcunninghamfh.com.
