Sharon Kay Wood

Dateline: Alton Sharon Kay Wood, 78, died at 11:18 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026, at OSF St. Anthony’s Healthcare Center in Alton, with her daughters by her side. Born March 10, 1947, in Alton, she was the daughter of Herbert and Venita (Fulks) Wilson. Sharon retired in 2012 as an operating room nurse at Christian Hospital Northeast after more than 40 years of service. She was confident and skilled in her work and was the family’s trusted nurse and advocate. On September 27, 1973, she married Dennis Ashby Wood at Cherry Street Baptist Church in Alton. They shared nearly 50 years of marriage before his death on June 19, 2023. Sharon had a sharp wit and strong will. She loved her family fiercely and was affectionately known by her granddaughters as “Magic MiMi,” a nickname earned through her gentle, seemingly magical ability to remove splinters. She adored her granddaughters and delighted in sewing and embroidering clothing for them, creating handmade keepsakes that will be treasured. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Brighton, where she played the piano and organ for many years until her hands no longer allowed her to continue. She remained active in the church, serving in any way she could and faithfully coordinating the church prayer chain until recent medical issues prevented her from continuing. Surviving are two daughters, Emily Hayes (Matt) of Brighton and Anne Berghoff (Ryan) of Edwardsville; four grandchildren, Leah Smith (Gage) of Terre Haute, Indiana, Ashlyn Hayes of Brighton, Meredith Hayes of Brighton, and Grace Berghoff of Edwardsville; one great-granddaughter, Alice Smith; and a sister, Wendie Lloyd of Alton. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Judy Roszak. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Brighton. Pastor Don Letson will officiate. The Nurses Honor Guard will perform a ceremony at 11:30 a.m., during which time the church doors will be locked. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Brighton. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

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Sharon Kay Wood

March 10, 1947 - January 26, 2026