Obituary of Christine Gloria Woods

Christine Gloria Woods was born in Newark, New Jersey on July 16, 1931, and from the very beginning, it was clear she was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

As a young beauty of 16, she met her debonair sailor, Charles “Bud” Woods, and by the age of 18, they were married. She began by being the boss of Grandpa—and truly, that never changed. But theirs was a love story built on deep affection, shared values, and a healthy respect for her singular will.

One of her first bold choices came when she went to obtain her birth certificate in order to get married. Her family had called her by her middle name, “Gloria,” her whole life—but that day she discovered her first name was actually Christine. Just like that, she decided it suited her better, and from then on, she was Christine, or Chris. That’s why, in the delightful tangle of family names, Chris Woods is also “Aunt Gloria” to her nieces and nephews. She was nothing if not decisive—and she always knew exactly who she was.

She and Bud spent their early years in Irvington, New Jersey, where they welcomed their first son, Thomas John, and four years later, their second son, David Charles. In 1958, the family moved to the now-iconic Woods family home on Kennedy Road in Morris Plains—a place that would become holiday central for aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and later a second home to her grandchildren.

That house was full of life, warmth, and the delicious smells of Grandma’s kitchen. Her famous gravy and meatballs, towering salami stacks, and her rule that no meal was complete without at least two desserts—these are the tastes and traditions woven into the family’s memories. You didn’t leave Chris’s table hungry—or without a napkin full of leftovers.

Chris had a true artist’s spirit. She could draw and paint, but her creativity found its deepest expression in her home, her crafts, and especially in her sewing. She created a beautiful wardrobe for herself and her family with incredible attention to detail and a perfectionist’s touch. When Tom married Kathy, and Dave married Maureen, her love expanded even further to embrace her grandchildren—Charlie, Chris, Ellen, and Jessie—who became the lucky recipients of Halloween costumes, holiday outfits, custom-made puppets, and whole puppet theaters. Grandma time wasn’t just special—it was magical.

Her perfectionism served her well beyond the arts. She was a dedicated bookkeeper for Pearl’s Upholstered Furniture on Speedwell Avenue, where her sharp mind and precision made her an indispensable part of the team. She worked close to home, partly so Tom and Dave could find her quickly if she was needed, but also so she could run home on her lunch break to let the dog out. Because pets weren’t just animals in her house—they were family.

From Sandy to Bert to Timmy and others in between, Chris was a lifelong animal lover. She spoiled them all with the same warmth and attentiveness she gave to everyone else she loved. Her last beloved dog, Molly, survives her and will be well cared for by her family.

Chris and Bud made the most of their years together, taking trips to the Jersey Shore, Italy, and Hawaii, among other places. Their home reflected their travels—decorated with treasures that held meaning and memories, each with a story behind it. But it wasn’t the far-off places that made her happiest. It was her family. It was being surrounded by the people she loved, watching her sons grow into men, and seeing her grandchildren become parents themselves. Her three great-grandsons— William Allen Woods, Sam Thomas Summers, and Rory Charles Woods—brought her enormous pride and joy, and gave her one more generation to love fiercely and watch with wonder.

Christine Gloria Woods leaves behind a legacy of strength, style, and unconditional love. She was tough when she needed to be, tender when it mattered most, and always, always present for the people she loved. We will miss her deeply. But more than anything, we will miss the way she made us feel: cared for, watched over, and endlessly loved.

Christine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles “Bud” Woods, with whom she shared a remarkable 75-year marriage, on January 1 of this year, and by her son, Tom Woods, who passed away on April 9, 2025. She is survived by her son, David Woods, and his wife, Beth Woods; her daughters-in-law, Kathy Woods and Maureen Hayes; her grandchildren and their spouses, Charlie Woods (and wife Nicki Woods), Christopher Woods, Ellen Woods (and husband Dan Halperin), and Jessie Woods Summers (and husband Alec Summers); and her great-grandchildren, William and Rory Woods, and Sam Summers. She is also survived by a host of extended family, dear friends, and neighbors.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 4-7pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:00am At St. Virgil's Church, Morris Plains, NJ. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to either the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)  or St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (www.sthuberts.org/donate).