WOOD, Evelyn Starkey 1923-2008
WOOD, STARKEY, TIVNAN, BARTON, HALL
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/5/2013 at 22:42:13
Evelyn Starkey Wood, 84, of Cedar Falls, died peacefully at Sartori Memorial Hospital on May 9 in the company of her long-time friends. She was an Associate Professor of English (Emeritus) and the loving wife of the late Stanley Wood, UNI Professor and Director of Theatre.
Evelyn was born in Huntington, West Virginia on June 26, 1923, to Hattie (McWhorter) and Erna Starkey. She earned a B.A. (summa cum laude) from Marshall University in 1944. After completing her training at the Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School in Northhampton, Massachusetts, she received her commission as an Ensign in the WAVES in December 1944. She trained to be a Cryptographic Security Watch Officer, and was assigned to the Code Room of Radio Washington until 1946. After her Navy service, she attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she received an M.A. in English Language and Literature in 1947.
Evelyn moved to Cedar Falls in 1947 to begin her teaching career in the English Department of UNI. During her tenure, she also served as chairperson of the UNI faculty. At UNI Evelyn met her future husband, Stanley Wood, and the two were married on May 23, 1950. After taking 13 years off to raise her two sons, she returned to the English Department in 1966, where she taught until retiring in 1992.
Evelyn’s love of travel began after her first trip to Europe in 1947. During their marriage, she and Stanley led several theatre tours of England and Greece. After Stanley died in 1976, she spent several summers in London, visiting museums and attending plays. After retiring, Evelyn traveled with friends to Alaska, Russia, Israel, Greece, England and Scotland, and in 1994 she traveled to France for the 50th anniversary of D-Day.
Evelyn Wood was a well-loved and active member of the Cedar Falls community, playing a key role in raising funds for the Hearst Center for the Arts and the Oster Regent Theatre. She was also an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, AAUW, and the Democratic Party.
A devoted patron of Theatre UNI, Evelyn appeared on stage in productions of the Cedar Falls Community Theatre. In April, at the 30th Anniversary of the Strayer-Wood Theatre, Evelyn was honored with a standing ovation from scores of alumni and friends.
She is survived by her two sons, Douglas of North Haven, Connecticut, and David of Nevada City, California; daughters-in-law Margaret Tivnan of North Haven, Connecticut, and Deborah Barron-Wood of Nevada City, California. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Fiona Wood, of North Haven, Connecticut, and Jeremy, Erica, and Benjamin Wood of Nevada City, California; sister-in law, Betty (Wood) Hall, and niece, Deborah Hall, both of California.
A memorial Eucharist Service will be held at the Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI campus on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at 2 o’clock.
In accordance with her wishes, Evelyn’s body was donated to the University of Iowa Medical School for medical research. Inurnment will take place later at Ridgelawn Memorial Park in Huntington, West Virginia. Memorials may be given to the Evelyn and Stanley Wood Scholarship Fund of the UNI Foundation, 205 Commons, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, or to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
[Source: Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home]
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