Evelyn Nielsen Wood, founder of Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics, died Saturday in Tucson, Ariz. of natural causes at 86.
Mrs. Wood, who suffered a massive, career-ending stroke in 1976, was moved to Tucson at the death of her husband and EWRD co-founder, M. Douglas in 1987. Evelyn Wood served in the German and Austrian missions of the LDS Church in 1938-39. Some accomplishments: wrote and directed an Aaronic Priesthood Pageant with a cast of 450 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1941 and 1947; wrote and directed pageant celebrating arrival of the Church in Scandinavia, cast of 1100 in University of Utah stadium in 1950; wrote and presented 32 radio programs on history of Utah for 1947 Centennial. M.A. Degree from University of Utah, 1947; Girls' Counselor, Jordan High School, 1948-59; taught speed reading at University of Utah, 1957-59; University of Delaware and others; published Reading Skills, 1957; taught staffs of Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Carter, 100 corporations, 50 universities. University of Utah Distinguished Service Award.Survived by her daughter, Carol Davis Evans, son-in-law, Robert R. Evans, Tucson; seven grand- and step-grandchildren: Stanton and Quinton Davis, Tucson; Lori and Cami Evans, Tucson; Teri Basteen, Duncan, Ariz.; Douglas and Rosina Davis, Salt Lake City.
Serivces at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, Friday, 12 noon; viewing from 10:45 a.m. Memorial gifts may be sent to Evelyn Wood Fund, Speech and Drama Dept., University of Utah.
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