Wilhelmina Wood

Wilhelmina Allen Short Wood born January 3, 1942 in Boston MA passed peacefully surrounded by her children, grand children and sister at home in Taos, NM, on October 24, 2022.

She arrived in Taos NM July 1981, where she resided for the remainder of her life- driving from Lexington, KY in her 1952 Pontiac with her two children, belongings, cats and plants. Throughout her life in Taos she was "mother" to dozens of children, and was an inspiration for so many on their life paths. She always said to follow your heart. 

Willi was an accomplished photographer and won "best of show" in the Taos Fall Arts Festival, as well as a painter, jewelry artist, exquisite beadworker, and the graphic designer for Taos Magazine. She and four artist friends founded the gallery "Open Space" on the Plaza. She showed her works at the Parks Gallery, Taos and Santa Fe and a one woman show at the Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington, KY. She was an avid reader with an extensive library and for many years was the southwest book buyer for the Taos bookstore, Moby Dickens.

Willi was the daughter of Julia Allen and Marion L. L. Short of Tree Haven Farm, Lexington, a descendant of Betty Washington (the only sister of George Washington), Thomas Sayre, founder of Southhampton NY, and David Sayre, a prominent silversmith, banker and founder of Sayre School. Willi attended Sayre School, Dana Hall School in MA and the University of Kentucky. She had been married to Robert K. Wood of Lexington, KY and Palm Beach, FL. 

She is survived by her daughter, Fielding Wood (son-in-law, Roman Vizcarra), of Pisac, Peru and Taos, NM, her son, Austin D. Wood, of Nelson Canada, her grand children, Suni Sonqo Vizcarra Wood, Qespi T'ika Vizcarra Wood, Mayta Katari Vizcarra Wood all of Peru and Minowa Liberty Wood, Uvia Rose Smith-Wood of Canada. She is also survived by her sister, Julie Short Rinaldini of Aiken, SC.

Willi had a deep love for hiking and exploring, with family and friends, throughout the breathtaking open space that surrounded her. She will always be remembered by all who knew her. She was beloved by so many for her elegant grace, beauty and gentle kindness and for her independent spirit. She will be deeply missed.

There will be celebrations of Willi's life at later dates.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com