Evelyn Louise Wood

Evelyn Louise Wood, most-lovingly known as Effie, Ms. Effie, Mimi, or Yogi, gained a set of the most beautiful wings you've ever seen on December 29, 2020 in Spring Branch, TX. Born in Amsterdam, Holland to Leonard Evert Consen of Suriname and Loes Hoogendijk of Holland on September 27, 1948; she is now reunited with her parents and brother Jack in spirit.

Effie grew up in Amsterdam until her late teen years when her family moved to Luxembourg. While in Luxembourg, she studied languages and art at The Art Academy of Luxembourg. In 1972, while out one night at Club 31, she met a handsome young American, fresh out of serving his country in the U.S. Air Force, by the name of Vincent Pershing Wood. In 1975, they were married and welcomed their first daughter, Jessica Louise Wood. In 1976, they decided to move back to Vince's home country of the USA for better job opportunities.

Upon landing in Houston, TX, Vince found work as a private aviation engineer. In 1979, they welcomed their second daughter, Sylvia Lynn Wood, and brought her home to concrete floors (as Effie liked to reminisce about) due to a major flood that had occurred just days before. Four years later, a job transfer moved them to Angleton, TX in 1983. This is where Effie's love for health and fitness was born. She opened her first business, Effie's Aerobics, inside the small town roller skating rink and instantly drew women in with her passion for helping them achieve their fitness goals. In 1985, the family relocated to San Antonio, TX.

Effie didn't skip a beat and quickly found her niche in the San Antonio fitness industry. Despite an amicable divorce in 1988, she continued to teach aerobics, followed by many years of step aerobics, became a certified personal trainer, judged fitness competitions, and even helped train male body builders (whom she liked to poke fun at for not being able to keep up with her abdominal classes). In the late 1990s, Effie was introduced to yoga and her unknown passion for it was found. In 2000, she opened her second business, Yoga In Motion, where she spent 13 years inspiring countless men and women who walked through her doors. In 2013, she decided to retire and do what she wanted to do most; spend time with her grandchildren. She sold Yoga In Motion and became a full-time "Mimi."

When she wasn't visiting her grandchildren or tearing up the isles of the local Whole Foods Market, she was found reading, journaling, tending to her plants, dabbling in Zumba classes, drinking hot tea, or eating her bread with jam.

Effie leaves behind to cherish her memories, her daughters and their spouses; Jessica and Robert Oliveros, and Sylvia and Jacob Lewis; her grandchildren, Matthew Oliveros (23), Miles Oliveros (14), Henley Lewis (10), Ryleigh Oliveros (9), and Dean Lewis (7); her lifelong friend and ex-husband, Vince Wood; three half brothers, nieces and nephews, and many Surinamese and Dutch family members.

In lieu of a funeral, the family will be taking Effie back home to Amsterdam to have her ashes spread. A Celebration of Life will be held in the San Antonio area in late April. If you are not on social media and would like to be notified when plans are finalized, please send an email to [email protected].