Grandma was 17 when she gave birth to her first daughter, 21 when she bore her first son. Ten years later she gave birth to the twins, one of whom was my mother, and another ten years later to her youngest child. The earliest picture we have of her is a formal family portrait taken when the twins were 3 years old. (Both George and Gladys are wearing dresses; my mother is the one with the bow in her hair.)

Wood Family Photo 1923. Back L to R: Cecil, Mary (Grandma), Johnny, Arnold, Thomas (Granddad), Arthur. Front L to R: Gladys (Mum) Muriel, George.
I don’t know if no pictures were taken earlier, or if earlier pictures are held by my aunts and uncles, but all the pictures we have of Grandma on the farm with her children only include the four youngest: Gladys, George, Muriel and Lucille.
- Grandma with Muriel (L), Gladys (R) and Lucille. 1930
- Grandma and Lucille, 1932
- Gladys, Grandma, George, Muriel and Lucille (in front)
- Grandma and Lucille, 1938
When Grandma left Ontario in 1910, she did not get back for a visit until 1933. Only the 3-year-old twins went with her. Perhaps that visit sparked some return trips. Her older sisters Lena and Gertie visited her in 1942 and Gertie came again in 1944. Here is a rare snapshot of the three sisters together.
Most of the pictures we have of Grandma Wood include some of her grandchildren.
- Grandma holding me May 1942
- Grandma with three granddaughters (Gail, Rosanne, Deanna) in arms and Deanna’s brother Ken July 1942
- Grandma watches Rosanne and Deanna on Rosanne’s birthday January 1947
- Grandma, myself and Cousin Rosanne, July 1945
- Grandma and Grandpa with grandchildren Kelvin and Darlene as Papa Arnold looks on, Summer 1967
- Nadine, myself and Grandma March 1950
- Grandma and Dennis Wood (Arthur’s son) 1951
- Nadine, myself and Grandma with Lyle in buggy November 1952
- Grandma and Nadine on our front porch Sept. 1966
- Grandma and myself at Nadine’s wedding September 1966
- Nadine and Jim pose with their grandmothers at their wedding September 1966
Of course, we can’t omit the next generation. Here is Grandma with some of her great-grandchildren.
- Grandma with great grandson, Danny Wood 1961
- Danny Wood with his great-grandparents 1964
- Four generations. Grandma holds great-grandson, Danny, flanked by daugher Muriel (R) and grand-daugher, Rosanne (L) 1961
- Cheryl House (my niece) with great-grandparents 1970
- Four generations, Mary Wood, daughter Gladys, great-grandaughter, Cheryl, and granddaughter, Nadine 1973
- Same as previous picture with myself holding Cheryl (far right) and Cheryl’s brothers, Chris (with Mum) and Jeff (with Nadine)
- Great-grandson Delaney under watchful eye of Great-grandma, Great aunt Muriel and Aunt Gail (me) 1973
- Chris, Jeff and Cheryl with great-grandparents in Neepawa 1977
Here is one of my favorite pictures, and a rare one: Grandma relaxing all by herself.