Marilyn Jean (Nesbit) Wood
Marilyn Jean Wood went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her beloved parents and brother on Monday, October 5, 2020 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming.
Marilyn was a loving, caring, and compassionate sister, mother and grandmother.
She was born January 28, 1940 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Margaret and John Nesbit of Winton, Wyoming. Her grandparents were John and Susie Copyak of Rock Springs and Jim and Jane Nesbit of Clinton, Indiana.
She attended elementary school in Stansbury, Wyoming, graduated from Reliance High School in 1958 as Salutatorian and attended the University of Wyoming for two years.
While at the University, she met and married All-American Basketball player, Tony Windis from New York in 1960 and together they had two children, Anthony Windis, Jr. and Deborah Ann (Windis) Buchhammer.
Following her husband’s coaching career, Marilyn lived in Wamsutter, Rock Springs, and Mountain View, Wyoming. While in Rock Springs she was a secretary at Sweetwater County Welfare Office before accepting a position in the Payroll Department at Allied Chemical Green River Works. They later divorced and she married John R. Wood of Paramus, NJ, with whom she had one child, John R. Wood, Jr.
After her marriage to John Wood, she moved to Osborne, Idaho where her husband was an electrical foreman at the Bunker Hill Silver Mine (Gulf Resources) and she worked as a secretary. She and her husband later owned and operated Silver Valley Electric and Wee Wilbur’s Convenience Store in Kellogg, Idaho.
Upon her divorce from her second husband, she moved to Laramie and worked at the University of Wyoming for 23 years. She was an administrative secretary in the Football Department under head coaches Pat Dye, Al Kincaid and Dennis Erickson before transferring to the College of Agriculture, Department of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management. She retired from the University in 2003 where she cherished the time she spent working with coaches, professors, students, and student athletes throughout her years of service at the University. After retiring from the university, she worked for seven years for attorney Gerald Russell of Credit Information Systems in the collection law Department.
She loved spending time sewing, crafts, scrabble, playing the organ and writing a book entitled “The Day the Whistle Blew” recapturing the life of her family in the Stansbury Wyoming coal camp before and after the mine cave-in that took her father’s life. In 2014 her book won 1st place in the non-fictional category by the Wyoming Historical Association. She often spoke with great affection about her parents, brother and grandparents saying she had the best childhood growing up in the Stansbury coal mining camp. However, she never forgot the day her father lost his life in a Stansbury coal mine cave-in.
The highlight of her entire being was her children and beautiful in every way grandchildren: Anna Marie, Thomas, and James Buchhammer and Jordan Wood.
She will always be remembered as a warm and loving person who overcame adversity and challenges throughout her life, while filling her home and the lives within it with love.
She is survived by brother, John Nesbit and his wife Eilene; children Tony Windis, Jr. (Karla), daughter, Deborah Maljian (Ara) John and Kelly Wood along with her four grandchildren: Anna Marie Gernold (Mike), Thomas and James Buchhammer and Jordan Wood; aunt Katherine Croen of Salt Lake City; cousins, Dennis Copyak and LeAnne, George Copyak, Jr., and Fred Copyak and Jeanette all of Salt Lake City, Robert Copyak and Valarie of Idaho, and Loretta and Dick Atwood of Spokane, WA.
She was preceded in death by her beloved father, mother and oldest brother, Jimmy, amongst whom she will be laid to rest in the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. Others who preceded her in death were her grandparents, Susan and John Copyak (Rock Springs) and Jane and James Nesbit (Clinton, Indiana); aunt Ann Snyder (Hemet, California) and Israel (Zeke); uncles, John Copyak, Sr., Edward Copyak (Rock Springs) and George Copyak (Salt Lake City, Utah).
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 30, 2021 Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery, SE Mountain View Section Mayor W.A. Muir Block, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Just read her book, what an awesome piece of writing, a very talented lady, told her story in an honest and down to earth approach. The story of her fathers death was devastating. I am so sorry of her passing, would loved to have complimented on her magnifisant book - condolences to the family ??
Deepest sympathy to Marilyn's family and friends. I was saddened to learn of her passing. We were cousins who resided in different states, but correspondences were enjoyed. I will miss hearing from Marilyn and I send my condolences to her children and family.
As December began each year, I would get my annual Christmas card from Marilyn and she would write that she could not wait to get my card with its letter, as she always enjoyed reading 'Nisbet' family news. Marilyn and I are cousins; her Dad, John, and my Mom, Jane, were brother and sister. I have been waiting for her Christmas card this year and today I came across this obituary learning of her passing and I am just so saddened. Every time she wrote to me, she would write about her family, as she loved her family with all her heart and she was so proud of her children. My deepest sympathy to Marilyn's children, family and friends.
I am sad to read of my cousin, Marilyn's passing. She was very unique and special in so many ways. Our conversations on the phone about family were always interesting. She was full of questions and loved to talk about memories of family. Rest in peace, Marilyn, Heaven will be a better place since you have joined your family there. Love from your Indiana cousin, Diane Scott
I was shocked to hear of marilyn’s passing. She was a very caring friend. I will miss our phone calls and our talks of Stansbury. Rest In Peace my friend. Love ya, Joanie Jereb
To the Coalminer's daughter with all my love Judy(Tarufelli) Sheldon
Having just visited with Marilyn over the phone regarding ingredients in a Chinese dish, I find myself lost for words in learning of her passing. Memories of living as neighbors in the Mt. View Bureau Camp flood through my mind; they were great times, Debbie, Little Tony and Orange. She came carrying her coffee and fuzzy slippers on her feet to enjoy a quick chat before returning to her task, usually sewing projects. A friendship for over 50 years. Rest In Peace, Marilyn and Peace, Big Tony, Debbie and “Little” Tony (I had to call you that one more time). And to other family who she bragged to me were special in her world, especially brother Johnny +
Dear John, Kelly and Jordan, Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. We'll keep you in our prayers. Love, Sam & Bonnie Chavez
How do you say goodbye to a Sister you loved all your life. I remember as a young boy in school I would tell my friends ... You see that girl over there ... That's my Sister, isn't she beautiful? I was always so proud and honored to have a Sister like Marilyn. We shared so many good times and suffered together through the bad times. We held each other over the loss of our Father, Brother and Mother. In the book "The Day the Whistle Blew" written by my Sister she introduces you to our family and what her life was like living in the Wyoming coal mining camp called "Stansbury". She chronicles her growing up as part of the John G. Nesbit Sr. family. Her story has touched many people who have been part of the coal mining industry and mining camp life. They, as well as myself, have enjoyed reading her wonderful written book and have seen their own lives through her true story. She was one of a kind and now I say ... you see that lady in the picture above ... that's my loving sister ... wasn't she beautiful. Rest in peace with our family in Heaven. I will love you and miss you forever. John
To one of the most strong and beautiful women I’ve ever met. You gave so much to so many people. I am one of those extremely fortunate persons to have known you and your love. Your heart embraced me and my family and for that I will forever be grateful. I will forever share my special memories of you with Jordan so he will continue to know what an amazing grandmother he had through my eyes. Rest In Peace. Always and Forever. Stephanie White and Family
I am so sorry to hear of Marilyn's passing. She was a very warm and loving lady. She and my mom met when they both worked in the Athletic department and became very good friends. Even after my mom passed, she would call me to find out what new crafty project I was working on and to catch up. I will miss her but I am sure she and my mom are both having some good laughs. My condolences to Marilyn's family. You will be in my prayers.
Mom! You were my best friend and guardian angel. My heart aches for you but I know you are in heaven hugging Grandpa (John Nesbit) who you last saw 65 yrs ago. I’m so happy for you mom!! You missed him so much!! No more pain mom! No more shots in your eye! No more oxygen! Heaven just got another angel. I know your presence will always be with me and when it’s my time I know you will be there to welcome me home. Take care of her dear lord until we meet again. I love you!
Marilyn will be missed by her family for sure and I will miss her too because she was my friend. From the first time I met her and every meeting afterwards it felt as though she had known me all my life. And though I didn’t know her as well as most, I know her sons. You can tell a lot about someone from the children they raise and Marilyns sons are what my grandmother used to call “Folks”. Folks aren’t just regular people, Folks are people who are warm and friendly and reliable and generous. Marilyn was all of those and more and so are John and Tony and I’d bet anything their sister whom I only met once is Folks too. I’m looking forward to seeing Marilyn someday when it’s my turn to go up yonder with our Lord. Bob Gregg
So sorry to hear of Marilyn's passing. Life has no end of troubles. We only knew Marilyn on the phone but she was clearly a unique person. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones. Jeff and Vicki Hitchcock
So sorry to hear of about Marilyn. I grew up knowing her & what a loving lady she was. Always had a smile on her face & always beautiful. Prayers to her family & may all the memories you have give you comfort. We always know they will go before us, but we are never prepared. Remember she is always with you & watching over. My truest condolences. Tessa Haagensen (Hamilton)
Our Hearts and Prayers go out to the family. Ruth and Dan Charpie
Mom, you were the greatest mother in the world. You sacrificed your whole life so that we, your children and grandchildren, could have the best in life. You would give your shirt off your back for anyone. I have received countless messages from friends telling me how wonderful you were, and how special you made them feel. Every one of them told me how grateful they were to have met you and have you in there lives. This is the toughest thing I have ever had to go through in my entire life. I took for granted the time that we had together because I always thought we had more time. I would do anything to call you up and hear your voice and have a silly argument over politics. . Now, I will have to go forward without you, but will always take with me the memories and life lessons you gave me. You are and were my world, and I am lost without you. You were and are my best friend, and the best mother in the world. I didn't tell you nearly enough how proud of you I am, and how much I love you now and forever. Can't wait to see you in heaven. Love, Johnny