Patricia Ruth Wood-Musser

February 4, 1933 – August 11, 2026

Patricia "Pat" Musser passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on February 4, 1933, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Emma Jane and John Edward Meckisis, Pat lived 93 years that were anything but ordinary. Her life was filled with family, friendship, creativity, adventure, hard work, laughter, and an almost unstoppable desire to make the most of every day.

Pat was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved her family deeply and looked forward to calls and visits, always eager to hear what was happening in their lives. She took a genuine interest in each person and made them feel that their stories mattered.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Emma Jane and John Edward Meckisis; her sisters, Paulina Dart and Fae Nalbantyan; her brother, John Meckisis; her husbands, Wilbur Henry Wood II (Woody) and John Musser; and her sons, Gregg Wood and Wilbur Henry Wood III (Woody).

She is survived by her daughters, Becky and her husband, Chuck Varner, and Tammy and her husband, Greg Hise; her daughters-in-law, Sarah Wood and Donnie Wood; and her grandchildren, Woody Wood, Marshall Wood, Zachary Hise, Audrey Wood, Allison and her husband, Ben Presley, Andrew and his wife, Nicky Wood, Lyndsay and her husband, Nick Goodwin, Travis Varner, Chelsea Hise, and Taylor and his wife, Andrea Hise. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Grayson, Jace, Piper, Quinn, Skyler, and Calvin. Pat was very close to her nieces and nephews, Gary and Beverly Dart, Paula and Bill Gates, Kristi and George Tsakir, Debby and Glenn Hurst, Shari and Bobby Collier and John and Taunya Swandal, who held a special place in her heart. Her family stretched across generations and across the country, but distance never diminished her interest in the lives of those she loved.

Pat was an avid reader and an extraordinarily talented artist and crafter. Drawing, painting, jewelry making, and creating were how she expressed herself and her love for others. She made thousands of pieces of jewelry, donating many of them to the Lake Forest Thrift Store to be enjoyed by others. Even near the end of her life, she was still painting beautiful gifts for her family and friends.

Pat had an unbelievable sense of humor, and she passed that gift down to her entire family. Even strangers found themselves wanting to join in the fun when Pat was at the table.

Pat had an entrepreneurial spirit and a remarkable ability to turn almost any job into an adventure. While raising her four children in Memphis, Tennessee, she owned a consignment shop called The Little Sparrow. In Virginia, she owned Wood Personnel and recruited for prominent law firms and government agencies in Washington, D.C. She had great jobs in between. Pat eventually retired back to Texas, but when most people are ready to slow down, Pat created a business called Let Mom Do It, providing errands and personal services for clients who needed an extra hand—the kind of things a mom would do.

For the last 13 years of her life, Pat called Lake Forest Village in Denton, Texas, home. She quickly became an important part of the Lake Forest community and remained active right up until the end of her life. One of her most special contributions to Lake Forest was starting the Lake Forest Thrift Store with her best friend, Elaine Fields. It was a perfect reflection of Pat's belief that there was always joy to be found in sharing.

Pat loved being involved, playing Pegs and Jokers every Saturday and Monday with dear friends Sally Stredwick, Karen Robinson, Lynne Beekman, and Carolyn Gunning and many others over the years. For 13 years, Pat wrote profiles of new residents and The Scene, a Lake Forest newsletter, filling its pages with stories, humor, jokes, and information about the people who lived there.

Her 93 years were filled with so much joy, and she left behind something far more lasting than the things she accomplished. She left behind people who were better because they knew her. Her laughter, creativity, generosity, curiosity, and zest for life will live on in the generations she leaves behind.

Pat was blessed to have Katie Swift by her side for the last seven years. Katie was far more than a caregiver—she became a constant friend, companion, and trusted part of Pat's life. She shared in Pat's daily adventures, cared for her with patience and love, and brought friendship, laughter, and companionship to her later years. Our family will always be grateful for the love and kindness Katie shared with Pat. We know that losing Pat is a deep loss for Katie as well.

An estate sale featuring many of Pat's wonderful treasures will be held at Lake Forest Village on Friday and Saturday, September 4–5, with proceeds benefiting the Lake Forest Thrift Store's Staff Appreciation Fund. There could hardly be a more fitting tribute to Pat—a woman who helped create the thrift store, believed in sharing good things with others, and spent her life making someone else's day a little brighter.

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 22, at 3 p.m. at Lake Forest Village, 3901 Montecito Drive, Denton. There will be services at Trietsch Memorial UMC and the National Cemetery later in November.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in honor of Pat's lifelong love of reading to the World Literacy Foundation at https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/donate. In her memory, your gift can help pass the joy of reading on to another generation.

Gifts can also be made in her name to the Lake Forest Thrift Store, which supports the Staff Appreciation Fund.