Catherine R. Wood

Catherine Rosandick Wood was born December 12, 1919 in Boise, Idaho at 1221 Grove St. and lived until April 2, 2020 in Boise.  The daughter of resourceful Croatian immigrants Matte (Matt) Rosandick and Marija (Mary) Milkovich Rosandick.

(Mom wrote the first part of the obit). I was the 3rd living child of 6 siblings.   I graduated from Park Elementary School and had to repeat the first grade as I did not know English when I entered school. I graduated from Boise High School in 1939. I also attended Grim’s Business School.  I possessed a sharp mind, curiosity and an iron will.  I was a tomboy and could fight any boy in the neighborhood.  I like to climb up the fire escape on Saturday nights at the Bucket of Blood dance hall and bar and watch the crowds dance during prohibition.  We did not have a car, so I walked or biked everywhere.

My first job was housekeeping and ironing at my mother’s boarding house. During high school, I also worked at the fountain at Walker’s Drug store.  I worked for 28 years for the Federal Government.  My service started with the Farmer’s Home Administration and then I retired from the US Forest Service.  I took time off to raise my family and then in the late 1960’s, I returned back to work which was the best thing I ever did!  After retirement, I worked and volunteered for The Humanities Council and took classes at Boise State, along with many other projects.

During WWII, I was invited to be part of the Minute Maids in Boise to sell war bonds and travelled on my bike to support various war causes including attending dances for the soldiers in downtown Boise and at Gowan Field.  I told my children that I only dated men who were good dancers.

While attending Mass at St. John’s Cathedral, I saw a very handsome tall man.  We had a mutual friend, Jake Molenaar and he introduced me to Jerold (Jerry) L. Wood, a CPA, at his jewelry store during a lunch break.  We were married three months later in Boise on December 31, 1948 and honeymooned in McCall.  Every night after work, we made a pie and played bridge with friends.   We were married for over 50 years until Jerry’s death in July 2004.   We lost our first child, Jane in 1952, and fortunately, then we had 4 children (Janet, Mary, Mark, and Catherine Louise) whom I loved very much.  I helped raise my nephew, Richard Hammond and he was considered a brother by my children (End of Kathy’s info).

Katy played bridge for most of her life and was involved with several bridge groups.   She always supported her children’s activities including being a PTA mom.   She loved walking to downtown Boise to shop at the department stores, as well as checking out the antique and thrift shops on her way home.   She was an excellent housekeeper and cook.  She loved making the Croatian dishes her mother had made and shared this love with her family.  Saturdays’ she cleaned and ironed while the Texaco Theatre sponsored the Metropolitan Opera.  She had volume on high on the radio so that her family and neighbors could also enjoy the opera.   She loved to entertain family and friends and made every holiday special.  Katy enrolled in an aerobics class sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital and made lifelong friends. When the program focus changed, she volunteered her basement for the core group.  She exercised with the group for over 40 years and stopped when she was in her late 90’s.

After retiring she loved to visit her children and grandchildren living in Spokane and Phoenix.  She travelled to Europe several times including visiting Croatia and Italy.

There are some special people that need to be thanked for all of their hard work and love they gave to Katy over the last years of her life. Most especially, thank you to Niall McGinnis who did more than can be said to make her life enjoyable and honorable.  He was on call if needed and did so much more than words can say. He prepared the best meals for her.  Mom would say every morning at breakfast, that this was too much food to eat and then she would eat it all!  Niall never forgot that Katy loved ending her lunch or dinner with a bowl of ice cream and served her a glass of wine before dinner. He took her on outings including shopping at her favorite thrift shop, The Good Samaritan Shop where she loved to browse, visit with Paula and Johna, and get a good deal!

Senior Helpers were added when more care was needed and there were some very very special care givers.  Doctor’s Hospice entered Katy’s life when she was 99 years old.  They were a big support the last months. To Katy’s special neighbors, George Forbes, and Joyce McShay, sho were available for love, support, laughs, visit, and meals.  They were on call 24 hours a day and would run over to help within seconds.  The Eucharistic Ministers from St. John’s Cathedral helped with the spiritual needs and social needs.  Katy loved their visits.  Mike Dillon had the best stories.  Mike D’Amico took Katy up in his plane one day out of Caldwell.  She was able to get in and out of the the 2-seater without any difficulty.  The smile on her face at the end of the flight was priceless.   There are so many other friends and family that loved and supported Katy.  Thank you all for your love and support.  She was treated like the special woman she was, and her smile filled the room.

Katy was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Jane, her husband, Jerry in 2004, and her siblings: George (I), Antonia, Nicholas, George (II), and Mark.  She is survived by her sister Louise Hammond Little, her children: Janet, Mary (Mike), Mark (Diana), and Catherine Louise (Bill), nephew Rich (Clysie) and her other nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren Erin (Greg), Spencer (Brittany), Adrienne, and Collin, and great granddaughter Ruby.

Services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Boise on October 21, 2022, at 10 am. A reception will follow. She will be buried with her husband, Jerry, at the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Katy’s memory to The Boise Food Bank or The Boise Rescue Mission.