Frances A. Wood Obituary (1928 - 2024)

AUGUSTA — On Valentine’s Day, two soulmates were reunited. With a sorrowful heart, the family announces the passing away of Frances Arlene Wood, two weeks shy of her 96th birthday. Fran was born in Augusta on February 28, 1928, to Clyde Barry, Sr. and Margaret (Wasgatt) Barry McKeen. Fran grew up in Augusta, attending Augusta schools finishing her education at Cony High School. During this time, she met the love of her life, Robert Earl Wood who passed away in 1998; it was kismet that she went to join him on Valentine’s Day. After they were married on February 20, 1948, they lived in Augusta before building their family home in Summerhaven on Silver Lake in 1955 where she lived for the next 48 years. Fran began her career in the nursing field working at Augusta hospitals. Later, she went into banking, first working at Depositor’s Trust and then Key Bank where she worked for 15 years until retiring in 1990. In 2003, she moved into her apartment at Gray Birch in Augusta where she stayed until her passing. While there, Fran offered painting and craft classes at the rec hall and made many new friends. She thoroughly enjoyed the social activities at the rec hall; she rarely missed a coffee or lunch event. Fran and Bob raised their family including several German Shepherds. They loved watching and entertaining their children and their friends, and eventually, their grandchildren, enjoying the lake they lived on – countless boat trips, trolling hours, and skiing laps around that lake. Above all, they loved spending time playing cards and sharing stories with friends on the lake. Many winter evenings they would visit lake friends and walk home, crossing the frozen lake – until they noticed the huge spring holes that frequent the small lake. Many memories were made and will continue to live on as Summerhaven lore. Fran loved sewing, tole painting, cross-stitching, and reading. She continued to offer painting and art classes until recently. For many years, Fran and Bob teamed up to create masterful art pieces for family and friends, and to sell at various craft fairs around central Maine. Bob would produce the wooden pieces that Fran would then paint – paintings with wooden frames, signs, clocks, holiday decorations, and specialty pieces – all individually handcrafted. Together, they also enjoyed traveling to their grandchildren’s events and activities with pride and always commemorating them with numerous pictures. She was predeceased by her husband of almost 50 years, her parents, stepfather William McKeen, brothers Clyde, Jr. and Fred, sister Jennie, sisters-in-law Viola Gaudet and Virginia Ratay, and daughter-in-law Terry. She is survived by her son, Gary; daughter, Becky and Bill Pepper; grandchildren Sarah and Jeff St. Pierre, Teddy Wood, Tim and Megan Pepper, and Dean and Katie Pepper; great-grandchildren Connor, Aidin, Alex, Lauren, Tommy, Wade, Fenway, Mason, and Juliana; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and close friends. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at the MaineGeneral in Augusta, and especially Dr. Cheleuitte. We are grateful for your care, support, and thoughtfulness. There will be a spring graveside service on May 10 at 2 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of the Knowlton and Hewins, 1 Church Street, Augusta where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canine Companions, Miller Family Campus, 286 Middle Island Road, Medford, NY 11763.