It is with great sadness the family announce the loss of a special Mom, Baba, Grandma and Auntie Charlene Wood (Beck) on October 19, 2026, with her family by her side.
Mom was the first daughter of three girls born on June 18, 1944, to Doris and Fred Beck in Fort William, Ont. Shortly after her birth, the family moved back to Fort Frances, where she would remain for the rest of her life.
Nothing brought more joy than the birth of her children, Kevin and Kerry Lee.
When mom was 26 years old she entered the RNA program along with her sister Shelby Peterson. I had just recently found out that my Mom was valedictorian for their graduating Class. Mom Worked at La Verendrye Hospital for over 25 years, she loved her job, her favourite was the Maternity Ward. Mom started accompanying patients on Air Ambulance trips in the mid 80’s. Then due to an injury on one of those trips, she had to take early retirement.
Mom married the love of her life Gerald Wood in 1994 until his passing in 2024. They had 30+ wonderful years together.
Mom and Gerald loved going to their cabin at Peek-A-Boo Island all summer long and sometimes in the winter. All of their kids and grandchildren loved going to Papa and Baba’s cabin where they would swim, fish and watch movies on rainy days, skate, sled and snowmobile.
Nothing brought Mom greater joy more than finding out she was gonna be a “Baba, Grandma” for the first time in the summer of 1984 when the first of her grandchildren Domanique was born, followed by Trent, Kristina, Kenna, Annagen, Gethon, Tianna, Tansy and Nairn and three great-grandchildren Lucas, Kenzie and Arthur.
After Gerald retired from Canada Post in 2007, Mom and Pops would take a road trip into the U.S. in 2009. There they found and bought a mobile home in Leesburg, Fla., and enjoyed five years of being Snowbirds. They met many new and lifetime of friends. As Gerald’s health started to decline they eventually sold their mobile home and returned to Fort Frances.
Mom was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br 29.
Mom and Pops would play in dart tournaments whether they were at our local or around the district. The past couple of years mom would go to the Legion and sit with the “Grumpy Old Men” at their table and enjoyed sitting and talking about the old days with them.
Every Tuesday four brothers Gerald, Norman, Fred and Robert would play Crib in the man cave. After Gerald passed in 2024, the three brothers have continued to play crib in the Man Cave.
Mom always appreciated that Norman, Fred and Robert were there if she needed anything fixed, mowed, shovelled or just to stop by and have a libation or two.
Charlene was predeceased by her beloved husband Gerald; brother James Noel; parents Doris and Fred Beck; and her son Kevin Peterson; brother-in-law Roy Peterson; and most recent great friend and sister-in-law Connie Wood.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Kerry Lee Robertson (Ken) their children Kristina (Rob), Kenna (Ryan); stepson Anthony Wood (Edna) their children Annagen, Gethon, Tianna, Tansy and Narin; daughter-in-law Karen Peterson, her children Domanique (Shane), Trent (Amber); her sisters Jackie (Monty) Howarth, their son Joe-Joe (Tanya), Shelby Peterson, her son Curtis (Dory); brothers-in-law Norman, Robert (Vanessa) Fred, Donnie (June) and Phillip (Lorraine); three great-grandchildren Kenzie, Lucas and the newest one Arthur; bonus daughter Cynthia (Ron) and their daughter Joelle; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mom was so proud of each and every grandchild, of their accomplishments they have all achieved.
In lieu of flowers Mom wished for donations to La Verendrye Hospital and /or Royal Canadian Legion Br 29.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
