Birgitta Dagny Sjoberg Wood

Our blessed mother, Birgitta, the heart of our family, passed away early in the morning, April 27, 2017, after a valiant and courageous battle with Cancer. She kept a smile on her face and so much love in her heart as she struggled on and off for almost ten years, always positive and optimistic despite living with these health challenges. She was an angel wife, mother, mother in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend. Birgitta sparkled in every way and the void of her will be impossible to fill. Birgitta was born in beautiful Skelleftehamn Sweden, on October 14, 1936, to Manfred Adolf and Dagny Karolina Holmquist Sjberg. Wonderful friends led her to the LDS Church around the age of 13. After three years of faithfully attending church, her father saw that it really was in her heart, and gave her permission to be baptized on November 2, 1952, in the Lulea Branch. At the age of 19 she served a mission within her home country of Sweden. One of her sweetest companions, Sister Nash, extended an invitation for Birgitta to come to America to stay with her family following her mission. On October 1958, at the age of 22, Birgitta traveled to Gteborg where she climbed on the ship that was bound for America. Sweden would never be the same; and neither would America! In the Fall of 1959, Birgitta met a handsome young man in her Salt Lake Avenues Ward named Blair Wood. They were married in the St. George Temple on November 12, 1960. They are the parents of five children and lovingly taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a great MOM and her children thought it was pretty cool to be half Swedish and to be surrounded by the wonderful Swedish traditions that influenced their lives. All of the kids in the neighborhood and ward also loved Birgitta and her beautiful Swedish accent. Her children were regularly told they had the nicest mother. Mom loved to sew, knit, crochet, and attend school programs, piano recitals, sporting events, family trips, going to movies and plays at the Hale Theatre. She also loved flowers, gardening, decorating her home, making Swedish pancakes, Swedish chocolate balls, and other delicious treats for her family, neighbors and friends. For almost 60 years our mother, her two sisters, and many friends who immigrated to the U.S., faithfully got together for the monthly Syjunta get together, where they would sew, knit, crochet, eat yummy Swedish food, and speak Swedish. They loved being together! Mom loved to travel and traveled often to Sweden to visit family as well as to other places around the world with her husband and children. One of the most treasured legacies she leaves is the multiple scrap books she made for every member of her family. This was truly a calling from the heart to pass this family history onto to her children and grandchildren. Mom had a beautiful gift to love others unconditionally. Her life truly was a life of service, to her family, her neighbors, friends, and her church. She regularly prepared plates of food for someone who was in need at the time. She treasured opportunities to work in the primary, Young Women's and Relief Society organizations. She magnified every calling or assignment given to her and had an unwavering testimony, and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ along with her sweet husband, Blair. Their faith and testimonies of the gospel were the foundations of their lives. After her son, Officer Ronald Wood, was shot and killed by a teenager; mom felt a strong need to help troubled youth. She became a dedicated volunteer at the Salt Lake Observation & Assessment Facility and for 11 years taught the youth how to crochet hats and scarves which were sent to places all over the world. She made a positive impact on many people's lives, and looked forward every week to spending time with the youth at the center. Birgitta loved her neighbors, ward members, relatives and countless friends who influenced her life so wonderfully beyond what words can describe. Her most beloved callings were being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her children feel so blessed to have her as their mother. Truly, those of us left behind will be praying to feel her influence here on earth and will be eagerly awaiting the day when we can hold her in our arms again. Birgitta is survived by her children DeAnn (Brian) Bawden, Rebecca (Kelley) Haggard, Jennifer (Ryan) Wiechman, Marlan (Joanna) Wood, daughter in-law, Lourie Wood, 13 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, her two sweet sisters, Britt-Marie (Darrell) Johnson and Margareta (Leon) Soderquist, many cousins, nieces and nephews who will miss her example of unwavering love and faith and her constant happy countenance. She was preceded in death by her dear husband Blair Wood, and son, Ronald Wood. A viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 5, Salt Lake Jordan LDS Stake Center, 3676 West 4700 South, in Taylorsville, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday prior to funeral service at 11 a.m., same address. Interment Redwood Memorial Estates. The family would like to thank all the wonderful health professionals and the staff at A Step Forward Hospice for the tender and wonderful care of their mother. We also express sincere gratitude to her ward members in the Jordan 4th Ward and Peachwood Ward for their love and compassionate service through the years. If desired, donations may be made in Birgitta's name to the L.D.S. Church Perpetual Education Fund. Place of Birth:Skellefteham, SwedenPlace of Death:Taylorsville, Utah