WILSON LAURA ANN (WOOD) Departed this life on Saturday, February 8, 2014. She was born in Anacostia, MD on November 4, 1922, to J. Christopher Wood and Evelyn (Mattingly) Wood. She grew up in Crafton, PA, outside Pittsburgh, graduating from Crafton High School in 1939. She attended secretarial school and enlisted in the Navy during World War II, serving in the WAVES. She was predeceased by her brother, Leonard Wood in 1946; and sister, Pauline (Wood) Bauer in 1996. She attended Duquesne University on the GI Bill, and met John O. (Jack) Wilson, whom she married after they graduated in 1949. She and Jack raised three children and Laura later had a career with the Dept. of Public Welfare and the Veterans' Administration. She was widowed in 1981 and took solace in the arrival of her first grandchild, to be followed by seven more. She retired to Toledo, Ohio in 1989 and promptly made her first overseas trip to visit her son in Hong Kong. She was a founding member of the Women in Military Service to America Memorial and attended the memorial's dedication at Arlington National Cemetery with her two daughters in 1997. As a WWII veteran, she was a VIP guest at the dedication of the WWII Veteran's Memorial on the National Mall in 2004. In 2006, she was predeceased by a daughter, Laura Jean (Wilson) Lykes, and welcomed her first great-grandchild, followed by seven more (so far). She recently celebrated her 91st birthday with family and friends at Oak Leaf Village in Sylvania, Ohio. She was much beloved and will be greatly missed. Laura was a member at Christ the King Church in Toledo and American Legion Posts in Pittsburgh and Toledo. She enjoyed swing music and dancing, always had a sparkle in her eyes and took joy in her family. She leaves a son, John M. Wilson (Robin) of Bristol, CT; and daughter, S. Elaine Heisman (John) of Toledo, OH; and a son-in-law, Lorman Lykes of Crofton, MD. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Amanda Heisman of Boca Raton, FL, Hilary Heisman of Toledo, Samuel Heisman (Rachel) of St. Louis, MO, Kara Heisman-Miller (Ray) of Toledo, Adelle Lykes Kim (Hyunuk) of Columbia, MD, Emerson Lykes of Bowie, MD, Esther Lykes (Charles) of Brooklyn, NY, and Emmanuel Lykes of Crofton, MD. Her memory will be kept fresh for great-grandchildren, Nadia and Oliver Kim, Caleb and Luke Heisman, and Raymond Mark Miller. Laura also leaves nine nephews and nieces throughout the USA. Friends may call at the WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. and Sat. Feb. 15, 2014, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., with a Blessing Service at 12:15 p.m. Burial in Jefferson Memorial Park in Pleasant Hills, PA. A memorial gathering will occur in Toledo Sun., Feb. 23, 2014, 4 p.m. at Grace Church, 3700 Dorr St. An online guest book will be at www.sujkowski.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's research or Wounded Warriors. www.slaterfuneral.com Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb