Viola June Wood
Viola June Wood, the Granddaughter of two neighboring long Valley pioneer families, Doyle and Ferris, and the step granddaughter of another pioneer family, the Robinson’s, passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 29, 2015.
One of three children , she was born on June 5, 1922 in Doyle, California to Jessie Luella Doyle and Levi Leonard Armstrong. June, as she was commonly known attended school at Long Valley and in the seventh grade took the janitor job. For five dollars a month, June walked to school an hour early every morning and built the fire, swept the floor, cleaned blackboards, dusted and cleaned the cloakroom. She did her job, even when it was so cold no one else showed up.
On June 6, 1938 she married John Henry Wood and became mother to 8 children. Widowed in April 1959, June continued to live and work in Doyle, supporting her children. She worked first at local grocery stores and motels, taking in washing and ironing, and then as school janitor at Long Valley, once more. A job she performed for thirty-five years, retiring in July 1987.
She served in many organizations including CSEA Representative, Mother’s Club, 4-H, Civic League, Fire Department and Auxiliary, Chamber of Commerce, little league, Park Committee, Doyle Historical Society, Lassen County Council on Aging, and Election Board. June, also did many fundraisers such as Bingo, Raffles, Rummage Sales, Fun Fairs, Pancake Breakfast and Dinners. She was also known for her Indian Tacos.
As a lifelong Doyle, resident June had a wide collection of history, photos, journals, and memorabilia that she willingly shared with researchers from Sullivan, Maine to San Diego, California and all points in between.
June was preceded in death by her Husband, John Henry Wood, Brother Harry Armstrong and Son David Eugene Wood. She is survived by her Sister, Jessie Mildred Bosenko of Sacramento, CA. Sons, John Wood and Raymond Wood of Reno, NV. Daughters, Viola Smith, Beverly Houdyshell, Rose Roberts, Gloria Day all of Doyle, and Sharon McAllister of Milford, CA., 22 Grandchildren, 35 Great Grandchildren and 23 Great Great Grandchildren.
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