Patricia Ann (Gehle) Woods peacefully passed away July 13, 2021 at Cates House, a Hospice of Marion County facility in Ocala, FL. She died shortly before celebrating her 95th birthday. Pat was born and raised in Bloomington, IL, which is home to Illinois Wesleyan University, where she attended college. Combining a keen intellect with her oratory skills, she was elected President of the Illinois Wesleyan University chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, national honorary forensic society. Pat traveled the country participating in college debate competitions, persuasively tackling tough topics, and winning a Grand National tournament in oration. This prepared her for a successful career in radio, but she soon became enchanted by the magic of television.
The camera loved her and so did the audiences as she broadcasted live from WIRL in Peoria, IL. Starring first in a children's show as the red-haired cowgirl Ginger, she soon got her big break subbing in for the host of a popular cooking show. It was big challenge for Pat who claimed that at the time, she could barely boil water. Not only that, television in 1952 was live; nothing was taped or edited. Pat would tell the story of stepping on to the cooking show set under the hot lights and in front of giant cameras where she was supposed to demonstrate to viewers how to make an omelet. She was naturally nervous, praying she could correctly crack the eggs into the bowl. With the cameras broadcasting her every move to viewers at home, she pulled one egg out from the refrigerator, cracked it over a bowl, only to find it was hardboiled. Stunned, she grabbed another egg from the refrigerator and cracked another egg; it too was hardboiled. One egg after the next she discovered was hardboiled. The TV crew standing behind the cameras laughed hysterically at the shocked expression of the pretty young star. The crew had hardboiled all the eggs as a practical joke. Pat's sense of humor saved her from embarrassment and walking off the set; she started laughing as well and told the audience that she would now show them how to make egg salad instead. From there on, she was a favorite on air personality with the crew and the TV audience.
Bright, funny, and talented, her vibrant personality radiated on camera and off. Beautiful brown eyes with a wide smile, she could talk to anyone just about anything, charming all who met her. Especially a young officer in the Navy, Lyle Creston Woods, whom she called the love of her life. After marriage, Pat continued to soar in her television career, but she ultimately made the difficult decision to turn down a once-in-lifetime offer to be an on-air personality at WGN TV in Chicago so that she could start a family. Continuing her ability to meet a challenge, she helped her husband succeed in the corporate world moving the family throughout the U.S., becoming a gourmet cook and consummate entertainer. She channeled her creative energy raising four children. Pat described her kids as works of fine art and encouraged them to express who they are as individuals, to learn, experience, explore and to grow into becoming their very best unique selves. Lyle and Pat brought forth a vision and built a vacation home where the family spent splendid summers on the shores of Lake Ossawinnamakee in Northern Minnesota. The Lake House became a gathering place for family, friends and grandchildren who came to boat, waterski, fish, swim and just have fun.
Throughout her life, books were Pat's constant companions. She was passionate about learning and seeking a better understanding of the world and her place in it. Family and friends remember Pat as vivacious, generous and loving with such a zest for life. She is and will always be unforgettable.
Pat leaves a loving family that includes: daughter Gaylee Woods and her husband Dean LeDour, son Creston Woods, his wife Melanie and their children Savannah and Hudson, daughter Tricia Woods Buie and her husband Dr. Timothy Buie and their son Benjamin, her son Victor Woods, who is predeceased, his wife Kay and their children, Moriah, Willow and Shira. Her family will gather in a private Memorial service to celebrate her life. To honor Pat's memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Marion: www.hospiceofmarion.com/donate
The camera loved her and so did the audiences as she broadcasted live from WIRL in Peoria, IL. Starring first in a children's show as the red-haired cowgirl Ginger, she soon got her big break subbing in for the host of a popular cooking show. It was big challenge for Pat who claimed that at the time, she could barely boil water. Not only that, television in 1952 was live; nothing was taped or edited. Pat would tell the story of stepping on to the cooking show set under the hot lights and in front of giant cameras where she was supposed to demonstrate to viewers how to make an omelet. She was naturally nervous, praying she could correctly crack the eggs into the bowl. With the cameras broadcasting her every move to viewers at home, she pulled one egg out from the refrigerator, cracked it over a bowl, only to find it was hardboiled. Stunned, she grabbed another egg from the refrigerator and cracked another egg; it too was hardboiled. One egg after the next she discovered was hardboiled. The TV crew standing behind the cameras laughed hysterically at the shocked expression of the pretty young star. The crew had hardboiled all the eggs as a practical joke. Pat's sense of humor saved her from embarrassment and walking off the set; she started laughing as well and told the audience that she would now show them how to make egg salad instead. From there on, she was a favorite on air personality with the crew and the TV audience.
Bright, funny, and talented, her vibrant personality radiated on camera and off. Beautiful brown eyes with a wide smile, she could talk to anyone just about anything, charming all who met her. Especially a young officer in the Navy, Lyle Creston Woods, whom she called the love of her life. After marriage, Pat continued to soar in her television career, but she ultimately made the difficult decision to turn down a once-in-lifetime offer to be an on-air personality at WGN TV in Chicago so that she could start a family. Continuing her ability to meet a challenge, she helped her husband succeed in the corporate world moving the family throughout the U.S., becoming a gourmet cook and consummate entertainer. She channeled her creative energy raising four children. Pat described her kids as works of fine art and encouraged them to express who they are as individuals, to learn, experience, explore and to grow into becoming their very best unique selves. Lyle and Pat brought forth a vision and built a vacation home where the family spent splendid summers on the shores of Lake Ossawinnamakee in Northern Minnesota. The Lake House became a gathering place for family, friends and grandchildren who came to boat, waterski, fish, swim and just have fun.
Throughout her life, books were Pat's constant companions. She was passionate about learning and seeking a better understanding of the world and her place in it. Family and friends remember Pat as vivacious, generous and loving with such a zest for life. She is and will always be unforgettable.
Pat leaves a loving family that includes: daughter Gaylee Woods and her husband Dean LeDour, son Creston Woods, his wife Melanie and their children Savannah and Hudson, daughter Tricia Woods Buie and her husband Dr. Timothy Buie and their son Benjamin, her son Victor Woods, who is predeceased, his wife Kay and their children, Moriah, Willow and Shira. Her family will gather in a private Memorial service to celebrate her life. To honor Pat's memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Marion: www.hospiceofmarion.com/donate
Patricia Ann (Gehle) Woods peacefully passed away July 13, 2021 at Cates House, a Hospice of Marion County facility in Ocala, FL. She died shortly before celebrating her 95th birthday. Pat was born and raised in Bloomington, IL, which is home to Illinois Wesleyan University, where she attended college. Combining a keen intellect with her oratory skills, she was elected President of the Illinois Wesleyan University chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, national honorary forensic society. Pat traveled the country participating in college debate competitions, persuasively tackling tough topics, and winning a Grand National tournament in oration. This prepared her for a successful career in radio, but she soon became enchanted by the magic of television.
The camera loved her and so did the audiences as she broadcasted live from WIRL in Peoria, IL. Starring first in a children's show as the red-haired cowgirl Ginger, she soon got her big break subbing in for the host of a popular cooking show. It was big challenge for Pat who claimed that at the time, she could barely boil water. Not only that, television in 1952 was live; nothing was taped or edited. Pat would tell the story of stepping on to the cooking show set under the hot lights and in front of giant cameras where she was supposed to demonstrate to viewers how to make an omelet. She was naturally nervous, praying she could correctly crack the eggs into the bowl. With the cameras broadcasting her every move to viewers at home, she pulled one egg out from the refrigerator, cracked it over a bowl, only to find it was hardboiled. Stunned, she grabbed another egg from the refrigerator and cracked another egg; it too was hardboiled. One egg after the next she discovered was hardboiled. The TV crew standing behind the cameras laughed hysterically at the shocked expression of the pretty young star. The crew had hardboiled all the eggs as a practical joke. Pat's sense of humor saved her from embarrassment and walking off the set; she started laughing as well and told the audience that she would now show them how to make egg salad instead. From there on, she was a favorite on air personality with the crew and the TV audience.
Bright, funny, and talented, her vibrant personality radiated on camera and off. Beautiful brown eyes with a wide smile, she could talk to anyone just about anything, charming all who met her. Especially a young officer in the Navy, Lyle Creston Woods, whom she called the love of her life. After marriage, Pat continued to soar in her television career, but she ultimately made the difficult decision to turn down a once-in-lifetime offer to be an on-air personality at WGN TV in Chicago so that she could start a family. Continuing her ability to meet a challenge, she helped her husband succeed in the corporate world moving the family throughout the U.S., becoming a gourmet cook and consummate entertainer. She channeled her creative energy raising four children. Pat described her kids as works of fine art and encouraged them to express who they are as individuals, to learn, experience, explore and to grow into becoming their very best unique selves. Lyle and Pat brought forth a vision and built a vacation home where the family spent splendid summers on the shores of Lake Ossawinnamakee in Northern Minnesota. The Lake House became a gathering place for family, friends and grandchildren who came to boat, waterski, fish, swim and just have fun.
Throughout her life, books were Pat's constant companions. She was passionate about learning and seeking a better understanding of the world and her place in it. Family and friends remember Pat as vivacious, generous and loving with such a zest for life. She is and will always be unforgettable.
Pat leaves a loving family that includes: daughter Gaylee Woods and her husband Dean LeDour, son Creston Woods, his wife Melanie and their children Savannah and Hudson, daughter Tricia Woods Buie and her husband Dr. Timothy Buie and their son Benjamin, her son Victor Woods, who is predeceased, his wife Kay and their children, Moriah, Willow and Shira. Her family will gather in a private Memorial service to celebrate her life. To honor Pat's memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Marion: www.hospiceofmarion.com/donate
The camera loved her and so did the audiences as she broadcasted live from WIRL in Peoria, IL. Starring first in a children's show as the red-haired cowgirl Ginger, she soon got her big break subbing in for the host of a popular cooking show. It was big challenge for Pat who claimed that at the time, she could barely boil water. Not only that, television in 1952 was live; nothing was taped or edited. Pat would tell the story of stepping on to the cooking show set under the hot lights and in front of giant cameras where she was supposed to demonstrate to viewers how to make an omelet. She was naturally nervous, praying she could correctly crack the eggs into the bowl. With the cameras broadcasting her every move to viewers at home, she pulled one egg out from the refrigerator, cracked it over a bowl, only to find it was hardboiled. Stunned, she grabbed another egg from the refrigerator and cracked another egg; it too was hardboiled. One egg after the next she discovered was hardboiled. The TV crew standing behind the cameras laughed hysterically at the shocked expression of the pretty young star. The crew had hardboiled all the eggs as a practical joke. Pat's sense of humor saved her from embarrassment and walking off the set; she started laughing as well and told the audience that she would now show them how to make egg salad instead. From there on, she was a favorite on air personality with the crew and the TV audience.
Bright, funny, and talented, her vibrant personality radiated on camera and off. Beautiful brown eyes with a wide smile, she could talk to anyone just about anything, charming all who met her. Especially a young officer in the Navy, Lyle Creston Woods, whom she called the love of her life. After marriage, Pat continued to soar in her television career, but she ultimately made the difficult decision to turn down a once-in-lifetime offer to be an on-air personality at WGN TV in Chicago so that she could start a family. Continuing her ability to meet a challenge, she helped her husband succeed in the corporate world moving the family throughout the U.S., becoming a gourmet cook and consummate entertainer. She channeled her creative energy raising four children. Pat described her kids as works of fine art and encouraged them to express who they are as individuals, to learn, experience, explore and to grow into becoming their very best unique selves. Lyle and Pat brought forth a vision and built a vacation home where the family spent splendid summers on the shores of Lake Ossawinnamakee in Northern Minnesota. The Lake House became a gathering place for family, friends and grandchildren who came to boat, waterski, fish, swim and just have fun.
Throughout her life, books were Pat's constant companions. She was passionate about learning and seeking a better understanding of the world and her place in it. Family and friends remember Pat as vivacious, generous and loving with such a zest for life. She is and will always be unforgettable.
Pat leaves a loving family that includes: daughter Gaylee Woods and her husband Dean LeDour, son Creston Woods, his wife Melanie and their children Savannah and Hudson, daughter Tricia Woods Buie and her husband Dr. Timothy Buie and their son Benjamin, her son Victor Woods, who is predeceased, his wife Kay and their children, Moriah, Willow and Shira. Her family will gather in a private Memorial service to celebrate her life. To honor Pat's memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Marion: www.hospiceofmarion.com/donate
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
