Merilyn Jean Woods (nee Hudson)

Merilyn Jean Woods
(nee Hudson)
March 9th, 1944 - December 1st, 2022
“Life is Good”

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Merilyn, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, December 1st, at Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry. Devoted wife of 58 years to John, mother to Leanne (Douglas), Lisa (Scott), grandmother to Kirsten (Nicholas), Lindsay (Josh), Roland and Claire, great-grandmother to Anthony, Audalina, Ethan and Emmett, devoted sister to Shelagh (Brian) aunt to Kathleen, and great-aunt to Aidan. 

Born in Yorkshire, England, daughter of Roland and Evaleen Hudson, Merilyn immigrated to Canada in 1952 with her family, settling in Uxbridge where her father was a teacher and vice-principal for many years.  She attended elementary and high school there, graduating in 1961.  In that same year she met John, who would become the love of her life, marrying at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Uxbridge on May the 2nd, 1964.  She attended Shaw Business College, which led to her lifetime career in the travel industry.  Two years after their marriage, John was transferred to Regina, where Leanne was born in 1967.  After a short stay, they moved to Winnipeg and then on to Ottawa, where Lisa was born in 1970, and where they spent 15 wonderful years, meeting many of their close lifelong friends. It was in Ottawa where Merilyn’s passion for travel was kindled, and she was employed in various capacities in the industry. 

In 1984, John was again transferred for the final time back to Toronto, settling in Pickering and where they live to this day.  Merilyn was employed for more than a decade by American Express Platinum Travel, which gave Merilyn and John the opportunity to continue traveling the world.   She retired in 1999, but her passion for travel did not cease. She and John continued to explore the world and she was very proud of the fact that she had visited over 140 countries.

Volunteering was another passion of Merilyn’s, and she spent more than 20 years dedicating her time to Canadian Blood Services and Community Care Meals on Wheels.  She was particularly proud of her more than 180 blood donations. 

Merilyn enjoyed playing bridge, scrabble, sudoku, reading, gardening and cooking, and needless to say, planning their next trip.  Above all, she was happiest when she was spending time with her family, when she was often heard to use her favourite expression, “Life is good”.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Low and Low Funeral Home in Uxbridge on Friday, December 9th from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and a funeral service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Uxbridge on Saturday, December 10th at 11 a.m., to be followed by a reception at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry or the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.