Jeannette A. (Sears) Wood passed from this physical world on Sunday, September 26, following a recent decline in health.

 

Jeannette was born at Cape Cod Hospital on August 12, 1937, to Wilhelmina L. (McIntire) and Everett Howard Sears.  She was a proud 10^th-generation Cape Codder, raised on Quivett Neck, East Dennis, with her younger brother, Paul Albert Sears.  Her early years were chronicled in her unpublished memoir ‘Quivett Time’, and included vivid remembrances of her father’s decorated service in WWII (63^rd Army E Company) and his joyous return Christmas Eve 1945, of pulling Paul around the village in his wagon, and her solo train journeys from Hyannis to Dover, NH to visit her aunt.  She attended the Ezra H.  Baker School and graduated from Yarmouth High School, Class of 1955, where she forged many life-long friendships still active today. 

 

She married her high school sweetheart, David E. Wood, in 1957, and had two children, Denise Carol and Jon David, while David finished his engineering degree at the University of New Hampshire. They lived variously in Durham and Nashua, NH, then the Berkshires, before resettling the family back to Cape Cod in 1967.  She hosted holiday gatherings for the extended family, swam and boated and jarred beach plum jelly, hung wallpaper and refinished furniture, and organized epic whitewater canoeing trips down the St. Croix and Machias Rivers in northern Maine.  

 

A devoutly religious woman, she taught Sunday school, played piano and sang in the choir at the East Dennis Community Church as well as the Evangelical Baptist Church in South Yarmouth.  She taught math and science at Trinity School of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth for many years, leading annual field trips to Washington, DC, the National Seashore, Highland and Nauset Lights, and other Cape Cod sites.  It was common for her to remark – “(He/She) was one of my students at Trinity” or, “Their children attended Trinity”.

 

Relocating to southern New Hampshire in 1977, she assumed a position as head teacher at the (literally) one-room Christian Heritage School in Brattleboro, Vermont, whose enrollment and facilities grew significantly during her tenure.  She spent winter weekends cross-country skiing the woods and fields near their home in Westmoreland, NH.  Following marriage separation, she returned once again to Cape Cod in 1984 and resumed teaching at Trinity School, this time taking on greater leadership and administrative duties.  Throughout this time, she continued her education studying nights and weekends, and in 1988 earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Bridgewater State College, and soon afterwards, her Masters degree in Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana.

 

She also worked for Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank late in her career until retirement, finally, at age 75.  A voracious reader, she consumed histories (American, Cape Cod, local indigenous cultures), thrillers, mysteries, as well as the occasional trashy romance novel.  She dove into her genealogical roots, painstakingly researching the Sears, McIntire and Wood family lineages back to their European ancestors.  She was active in and served as Treasurer of the McIntire Clan in York, Maine.  She also was an active contributor to the Dennis Historical Society, and helped organize Yarmouth High School class reunions.  She loved the Red Sox and Patriots. She took many circuitous road trips throughout New England, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with life-long friend Jackie Johnson, just enjoying the scenery and trying out new restaurants found along the way.

 

Jeannette was predeceased by her mother, Wilhelmina Sears, in 1989, her father, E. Howard Sears, in 2008, her brother, Paul Sears, this past April 2021, as well as her occasionally well-behaved Labrador retrievers, Judd and Samantha. She is survived by her daughter, Denise and her husband, Jack Richard Threlkeld of Centerville, MA and her son, Jon and his wife, Margaret (Digan) Wood, also of Centerville.  She leaves seven grandchildren and their partners, Joshua Threlkeld and Melissa Kirk, Melissa Threlkeld and Joshua Komenda, Matthew Threlkeld and Gina Souza, as well as Nora Wood and her husband, Jeff Weinstein, Everett, Amelia, and Michael Wood, and many other family and dear friends both near and far.   

 

 

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. in the Dennis Union Church, Route 6A, Dennis, MA. Reception to follow.

 

“A limb has fallen from the family tree, I keep hearing a voice that says ‘Grieve not for me’.  Remember the best times, the laughter, the song, the good life I lived when I was strong. Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you, keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.”

Spent many hours in bible study over the years and missed her when I had to leave the Cape. Will miss her greatly until we meet again. From one Cape Codder to another may the winds always be at your back and will see you In the heavenly’s Love you Jeannette. Bonnie Bourne LaCross

Many years of friendship and fellowship at church and living in East Dennis. May you rest in our Fathers arms. Bless you Jeannette. You will be missed. See you in the sky.

Denise & Jon, Bob and I are saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. We’ve known your family since 1970 when we moved to SY on Winsome Rd. Trinity School, driving in your moms red VW, waiting in line at the gas pumps and our canoe trip on the Moose River, ME. She loved you both and was so proud of your accomplishments and your families. She loved teaching and enjoyed seeing children, including our daughter Lisa, understanding the math she loved. Jeannette was a confidence builder in her students. Your mom loved her Lord and Savior and served Him in any church in which she worshipped. Jeannette was so interested in her family history on Cape Cod and she leaves you a wonderful heritage. Our condolences to you both and your families. Bob & Sue Roney

Denise and Jon, I’m so sorry to hear your Mom passed away. She worked with us at Cape Cod Five for several years after her teaching career. I always enjoyed our conversations and would often talk about both of you. A truly lovely lady with a sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Lisa

Met once or twice. Had a commonality with her brother Paul and considered him a friend. Both are a loss to the Cape. The obit proved her an interesting woman.

Jeannette was always a joy to be around. She will always be missed. Fly with the angels now my friend. ❤️