Claudette’s Obituary Schoharie (Schoharie County): Claudette Wood, 83, of State Route 145, Schoharie, passed away Sunday April 14th at Cobleskill Regional Hospital in Cobleskill, NY after complications with pneumonia. Claudette was born September 15, 1935 in Fultonham, New York, a daughter of Claude VanWie, a former Schoharie County Sheriff and his wife, Isabel (Chris) VanWie. She attended Schoharie High School, from which she graduated in 1953. After high school, she attended the Albany Business College where she received an Associate’s Degree in Business, later working for New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. She married her first husband, Alton Makely in 1955, and together they operated a large dairy farm in Charlotteville. On October 19, 1962 Claudette married her life companion of 56 years, Keith M. Wood. She spent the next several years as a homemaker, raising her children until they graduated from high school. She then worked at Van’s Dairy Bar, a family business and local favorite, along with Van’s Giant Hot Dogs at the Cobleskill Fair and then at the administrative offices of the former Richmondville Central School. Claudette then went to work for the Schoharie County DMV and became the 1st Deputy of the Schoharie County Clerk’s Office, serving under Forest Wollaber, Jr. She and “Wally” made a wonderful team, and she enjoyed her time working with him. In 2001, after 18 years of service, she retired. Claudette was always a public servant, and a dedicated supporter of the Republican Party. She was a member of the Town of Middleburgh Republican Club, the Women’s Republican Club, a secretary to Assemblyman Arlington Van Dyke, and spent several years serving as a county committee person. She was instrumental in several successful campaigns and loved her community, Claudette’s life always centered around her family and friends. She enjoyed shopping with close friends, playing pitch, reading, doing word searches and puzzles, and was known for accessorizing her attire and decorating her home for every holiday and enjoying her large teddy bear collection. Survivors include her husband, Keith Martin Wood of Schoharie, NY; children Cynthia (Mike) Lisuzzo of Clifton Park, NY, Susan (Gary Cooper) Makely of Middleburgh, NY, and David (Beth) Wood of Middleburgh, NY, grandsons Bryan (Cadie Lacette) Wood of Middleburgh, NY and Mitchell (Emily Tillapaugh) Wood, of Middleburgh, NY; and her newest, most beloved great-granddaughter, Madelynn Marie Wood, who brought a new-found joy to Claudette’s life. She was predeceased by her parents; a son, Kevin Wood in 1981; and a brother, Gary VanWie. Claudette’s family would like to extend a special thanks to her caregivers who provided loving care and made it possible to stay in her home. Autumn, Cassie, Lori, Nancy, Shannon, Sue W., Sue M., Suzie, and Tina, you are all so special, and cannot be thanked enough. Also, a special thanks to Catskill Area Hospice and all of the incredible doctors, nurses, staff at Cobleskill Regional Hospital. There will be a period of visitation at Langan Funeral Home, 327 Main St., Schoharie, NY on Friday, April 19th, from 10am-12 noon, followed by a graveside memorial service at the Old Stone Fort Cemetery, Schoharie, New York. In lieu of flowers, Claudette’s family requests that donations be made to MEVAC, PO Box 817, Middleburgh, NY 12122. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Claudette Wood September 15 1935 April 14 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Central Bridge, state: New York