Our beloved mother, Elsie Esther (Filan) Wood, passed away peacefully the morning of January 17th 2024. She lived courageously the past 20 years with Parkinson's Disease and declined in health over the past several years.

Family was so important to Mom. She was born on October 1st, 1936 in Spokane, WA. Her father Arne was one of nine siblings and her mother Flossy was one of twelve siblings. Mom grew up among 72 first cousins, aunts and uncles that were an integral part of her formative years.

At 13 her paternal grandmother led young Elsie to Jesus. This is when she acknowledged she was a sinner and needed God's grace. She began to pray and received God's call to be a missionary. She graduated from Walla Walla High School the summer of 1954.

The following year she arrived at Seattle Pacific College. During her Freshman year she joined a Gospel Teams singing group because she was excited to tell others about Jesus. Mom was the pianist and one of her teammates and the leader of the group was a handsome young man named George. They took notice of each other and married in 1955. ("The best decision I ever made after my decision to follow Jesus," Dad said).

She loved Dad so much and they were dedicated to each other for 63 years! Together the Lord blessed them with three children Cynthia (1957 - 2018), Rebecca (1959 - ) and Michael (1966 -). She was a wonderful example of how to be dedicated to Jesus and to her family.

Mom & Dad served with The Christian & Missionary Alliance for nearly 40 years: Vietnam (1960-63), Kent Alliance Church, Kent, WA (1963-73), Vientiane, Laos (1973-75), Bangkok, Thailand (1975-1983), Udorn, Thailand (1983-1989), Bangkok, Thailand 1983-1998).

Elsie  enjoyed life to the full. She enjoyed playing tennis, pickleball, boating, traveling, gardening, playing games, puzzles ,volunteering at church and especially spending time with her family.

Elsie is survived by her daughter Rebecca Ann Wilson (Thom), son Michael Bertin Wood (Wendy), nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grand children. She was predeceased by her husband George William Wood (d, 2019), and  daughter Cynthia Lynn (Wood) Dineen (d. 2017).

We deeply loved Mom and will miss her!