BETTY WOOD 1938-2025
THE funeral of a village stalwart was held at the Wear Valley Crematorium at Coundon on Tuesday.
Elizabeth (Betty) Wood had worked tirelessly in Howden-le-Wear, the village she had lived in for
64 years. The cortege entered to the music of Barry White singing ‘You’re the first, the last my
everything’ before Rev Ray Anglesea welcomed the congregation that included Joy Allen, Police and
Crime Commissioner. Betty had been at the heart of the fight against crime for twenty years in her
home village and the PCC had come to pay her respects.
Rev Angelsea told the congregation said that this was the final act of love for Betty and spoke
comforting words and led prayers before the first hymn, ‘The Day you gave us, Lord, is ended’.
Betty’s daughter, Denise, stood to speak, thanking everyone for coming and reading out a poem
in memory of her mother.
Rev Anglesea gave a comforting and thoughtful eulogy, kindly reproduced here with his
permission:
‘In the fullness of time: that phrase comes to mind as we remember Betty. She lived the biblical 3
score years and 10 and many more. What social, technological and economic changes Betty must
have witnessed in her lifetime, events unthinkable at the start of the last century, men on the moon,
frozen food, heart bypasses, computers, Brexit, Covid.
Betty together with her sisters Irene and Ann daughters of the late Alf and Kathleeen Amos were
born and raised in Witton le Wear. By all accounts they had a happy childhood despite the privations
of the war years and later when the County’s industrial areas, particularly the coalfields were
plunged into poverty and unemployment.
Educated at Witton le Wear school, her primary school education years was interrupted by the
World War II. Betty left school and held a couple of jobs in local factories and later in the Throwing
and Textile Mills in Crook. It was at a local dance that Betty met Derek Wood, a railway man. One
thing led to another as they say, they married young and settled in Howden le Wear where they were
to spend all their married life. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Denise.
Betty settled into running the home, a housewife, mother and a friend to many, with many varied
interests outside the home and in the village. Betty loved cooking, loved baking, her Sunday lunches
were something to look forward to. Betty loved sewing, knitting and dressmaking, her skills she
handed down to Denise and later her granddaughter Beth.
Often Betty would go into schools and hold community classes showcasing and teaching her skills
to children and young adults. She was well known and respected in the village, she chaired PACT
meetings with the local police, had oversight of Neighbourhood Watch and Safer Homes in
conjunction with the Fire Brigade.
Betty three times won the WOW awards – Wonderful Outstanding Worker in recognition of her
skills and knowledge of the village, her reliability, responsiveness, professionalism and team work. Of
course, Betty was so proud to have been honoured by her community in this way. But above all Betty
enjoyed her garden, the beauty and colourful flowers which she grew year by year, the flower pots
which she brough back from the supermarket, much admired by neighbours and family.
The family enjoyed holidays in Scotland and visiting Derek’s sister in Windsor. Throughout the
years, Betty’s house was a centre point for the family for her grandchildren and great grandchildren
whom she adored and was so proud of. There were no dull moments, just great memories that
provided Betty and Derek with the love and happiness which they so truly deserved. Sadly, Derek died
16 years ago in 2009.
Our readings and music chosen for Betty’s funeral by her family reflect Betty’s generous and
warm personality, she lived a life of unconditional love, a life of gentle pardon. Barry White’s song
‘You are the First, the Last, my everything, my sun, my moon, my guiding stars just about sums Betty
up, who definitely had it ‘all put together.’
Behind her engaging smile, her hard-working attitude, her positive accepting outlook, Betty was a
woman of integrity and goodness, determined, independent, a fighter yet a loving person – to all her
friends and neighbours in the village. A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great
grandmother who adored who grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sadly, Betty slipped peacefully
into heaven on 21st February in Bishop Auckland Hospital.
The family would like me to thank the community, many friends and neighbours for their support
and care at this difficult time, for their flowers, many cards and telephone calls for this remarkable
and truly lovely lady. As we gather here in sadness, that sadness is shot through with a deep serenity
and great gratitude for Betty’s life. Of course, we are sad today. There is a sense of loss. But
thankfully woven into this there is deep gratitude to God for all that Betty has been to her family and
friends.
We are happy because we know deep down that her life was complete and that tired at the end of
her 86 years, she was ready to go home.’
The congregation stood to sing the second hymn, ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’’. Rev Anglesea read
from John, the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Jesus before more prayers, the
Commendation and Committal. After standing to sing ‘Abide With Me’, the service was at an end the
congregation leaving donations to Macmillan Cancer Support on their way out to meet the family. A
reception was later held at Crook Town Football Club.
Betty Wood will be sorely missed in Howden-le-Wear but she can rest in peace with the
knowledge that she did her very best for the village and its people over many years.
