Joanne Thurston Wood

WOOD - Joanne Thurston, 79, a resident of Fort Lauderdale since 1962, passed away on Friday, December 28, 2012 after a sudden illness. Joanne was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 20, 1933 and is the daughter of the late Marion E. Knott and Judson T. Thurston Sr.

She was a loving wife to the late Merle A. Wood, II for 52 years. Joanne and her husband Merle (Woody) owned and operated a funeral home in West Boylston, Massachusetts before moving to Florida in 1962 where they opened up a yacht brokerage business. Joanne lived her life selflessly and was lovingly devoted to her husband, children and family. The Lord has brought her home and the love she shared here on earth shall remain steadfast.

A loving mother, sister and grandmother, surviving Joanne is her daughter Sandra J., son Merle A., III and his wife Claire, son Brad T., daughter Wendy G., grandson Frankie M. and her grand-puppy Oscar. Also surviving are her sisters Sandra Hartman (Richard) of Delaware and Gail Thurston of Michigan. Joanne is predeceased by her son, Scott T. and her brother Judson T. Thurston, Jr.

The family will receive friends at visiting hours from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Friday, January 4, 2013 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home North, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Forest Lawn North with entombment ceremony and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in Joanne Wood’s memory to Parkway United Methodist Church’s “Food Pantry Ministry”, 100 Northeast 44th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.