Janis Wood

Madison -Janis Irene Wood, age 77, died on Thursday, September 29, 2011 after a sudden decline.
She was born on August 23, 1934 to Albert and Appolonia (Jones) Schneck in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Janis graduated from East High School in 1952, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1956. Janis was married in 1957 in Istanbul, Turkey to John B. Wood, also of Madison. They taught at the American School in Tarsus, Turkey for two years before returning to the United States to raise their family. They provided a home to three special needs foster children. Janis found fulfillment in her career as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor working with the blind and disabled. Janis was a voracious reader, a member of the First Unitarian Society, and enjoyed gardening, travel, and live theater. Her family never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. She always saw the good in everyone, and was without judgment. She was thoughtful and generous to all she knew; a loving mother, grandmother, and sister. Janis is survived by her three children, Judith (Z. William Mintz) Wood Mintz of Chicago, Betsy A. Wood of Madison, and James S. StandingCloud-Wood of Madison; her grandchildren, James S. Wood, Jr., Trevor J. StandingCloud-Wood, Daniel W. Wood, Alice Ruth Mintz, Noah M. Mintz and Benjamin Z. Mintz; her sister, Marguerite (Stewart) Burgin of Little Rock, Arkansas; her ex-husband, John (Mavis) Wood of Abbotsford, Wisconsin; her nieces and nephews of Greendale, Wisconsin; and numerous cousins. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2011 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK CHAPEL, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718; or the First Unitarian Society (Social Justice Fund) 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI 53705.