Cecelia Ann Woods
Cecelia Ann (McNulty) Woods died August 9th, 2014 at the Colorado State Veteran’s Home in Rifle, Colorado after a brief battle with melanoma.
Cecelia Ann Woods, or “Cec” as she was known, was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on September 22nd, 1943 to Thomas F. McNulty and Elizabeth F. (Shea) McNulty. She was a third generation resident of the Roaring Fork Valley. She attended Glenwood Springs schools until 1958 when she attended the Saint Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, Colorado where she graduated in 1962.
On February 14th, 1965 she married Ralph W. Woods, Jr., who, coincidentally was from Cañon City, Colorado, although they did not know each other while she attended the academy. She and Ralph had four children.
Cecelia’s professional career was as an emergency police dispatcher for Garfield County and the City of Glenwood Springs, where she worked until she was diagnosed with lupus forcing her to retire after over 20 years ending with the position of Director of Communications for the department. She always told of her many experiences while working including her walking a shackled Ted Bundy around the block for his daily exercise. She always laughed that she could “tell the cops where to go and get away with it” while she was a dispatcher.
Cecelia and Ralph purchased their home in 1969 at Carbondale, Colorado where she lived until this spring when her health declined very rapidly due to melanoma. She spent her remaining days at the State Veteran’s Home in Rifle, Colorado, where she received wonderful care by a very kind group of nurses and staff.
in 2003, Cecelia was introduced to her Pug, Mack. Mack had a very positive effect on her life as she had something to take care of. Mack loved to follow her around the house or outside where she tended her flowers. Her health improved enough for her to travel to Maine, Virginia, Nebraska, Florida and many other places, often with Mack in tow. She would often send a few weeks of the summer in Cañon City, Colorado visiting family and classmates as well.
Cecelia is survived by her sister, Johanna Terry, her son, Bo, and three daughters, Mary, Shelia, and Joan. She had two sons-in-law, two grand children, and two great grand children. She also lives in the memories of three nieces and a nephew (the children of her sister), their spouses and children. She was “Mom Cec” and “Grandma Cec” to many friends in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming as well. In addition, there are her many wonderful classmates from the academy who were always very good to her. She had several friends and dozens of other family members from her side and her husband’s side who were more like family than friends to her. She is also survived by her beloved Pug Dog, Mack, who misses her nice, warm lap to nap upon.
Cecelia Ann Woods, born September 22nd, 1943, died August 9, 2014 at the age of 70.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity or organization that is dear to your heart. Plant a tree in her memory as she loved trees. Remember to wear your sun block as she would not want you to endure melanoma as she did.
A Celebration of Life will take place for Cecelia , which is what she requested. The date, time and place will be announced at a future time.
