Kathleen (McFarland) Wood

Kathleen McFarland Wood, 80, of Fort Collins, died Oct. 13, 2021, in Fort Collins. Kathleen was born June 13, 1941, in Jamestown, N.Y., to William and Antoinette McFarland. She lived for many years in Binghamton, N.Y., before graduating from Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University) in Washington, D.C. in 1963.

While attending college, she met the love of her life, West Point Cadet Robert Herron Wood, at a dance in Washington celebrating the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. They married Dec. 28, 1963, and Kathleen embarked on a life as a military spouse, accompanying her husband to many far-flung bases, including those in Hawaii and Berlin, Germany.

While Robert served twice in Vietnam, Kathleen served as the support for her own family and for other wives in similar situations. Throughout his career in the military, she played a vital role mentoring younger officers’ wives.

Together, Kathleen and Robert raised three children, providing them with an enduring model of love, selflessness and faith. They retired in 1991, moving to Colorado and enjoying many happy years together. Thrilled to finally have a permanent home, Kathleen vowed never to move away from Fort Collins and formed deep friendships through St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and through her hobbies, most notably her quilting groups.

View Kathleen’s full obituary here.