Helen Cottam Hatch Wood passed away at age 91 early on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011 in Salt Lake City, UT with her son Jeff by her side.
Born March 18, 1919 to Charlotte Cottam Hatch and Frank S. Hatch in Salt Lake City, she moved to Scipio, UT with her family later that year. The fifth of nine children, she grew up on the family’s ranch and dairy farm. She is a descendent of the Mormon handcart pioneers who crossed the plains to Utah in 1849 and 1852 .
She attended schools in Scipio and Fillmore and was named “Miss Scipio,” in 1940. She graduated with a B.S. degree in business from the University of Utah in 1941. She enjoyed working at The Paris Company for nine years before starting her family.
On November 1, 1947, she married the love of her life, Joseph F. Wood, Jr. Married for 57 years, “Fritz” preceded her in death on Aug. 31, 2004.
Helen is remembered as one whose home was always open to everyone and whose sense of humor left all laughing. She is loved greatly and will be missed by friends and family.
Six children survive her: Kathy Loveless (Scott); Gloria Fechter (Ron); John (Carolyn) and Jeffrey, all of SLC; Dan (Kristine) of Orange Co., CA; and Sue Hallett (Clive) of Orinda, CA; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Her sister, Alice Tollestrup, of Albuquerque, NM, also survives her.
Viewings: Fri. March 4, 6- 7:30 p.m. and Sat. March 5, 10:00 a.m. Memorial Service: Sat. March 5, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 Bengal Blvd (7600 S) SLC, UT. Interment: Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 E. 7800 So. SLC, UT.
