Ellen Margherita 'Helen' Wood

Ellen Rovello Wood celebrated her 95th birthday on December 18, 2018 in two worlds with family and friends dancing her way into heaven from Las Cruces, NM. She was born in Waco, Texas, attended Waco High School and Secretarial School, and worked for Central Freight Lines as an executive secretary. She proudly served the USO as a dance instructor, choreographer, and performer during the 1940's and early 1950's. It is at one of these USO events that Ellen met the love of her life, Doug Wood. They married on February 12, 1955 and spent the next 63 years together. Being married to a United States Air Force pilot, Ellen was the ultimate hostess and Officer's wife. She and Doug began their lives together in Texas, transferred to Homestead AFB, Florida, where they retired and remained until 1978, and settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Throughout their lives together, they traveled joyfully to places near and far, socialized endlessly with young and old, danced beautifully until the wee hours, played golf several days a week, and hosted the best and most entertaining parties for family and friends. They made friends wherever they traveled, even if only to the local grocery store or pharmacy. Ellen was involved in many community activities, and always assisted with her daughter's school events and shows, choreographing several high school shows in Miami, Florida. While in Las Cruces, she and Doug celebrated their Catholic faith, where they were members of St. Albert the Great Newman Center, making even more friends to share good times and their life. Ellen is survived by her daughter, Pamela Mills Wood; granddaughter Robyn Michelle Fritze and her husband, Martin Fritze; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Wyatt and Charlotte Kay; brother, Tom Rovello, Jr; and several nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her first husband, Lieutenant Thomas Henry Mills; second husband and soulmate, Major (Ret) David Douglas Wood; parents, Tom and Pietrina Rovello; brothers Vincent and Charles Rovello; and sisters, Camille Rovello and Josephine Stewart. "Please do not weep for me for I have lived a wonderful and joyful life, and have celebrated life in the here and now in the after." We celebrate her life on January 10th, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Getz Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held the following day at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association, NM Chapter, P.O. Box 15159, Las Cruces, NM 88004. Thank you to the loving and caring staff at the Village of Northrise, Desert Willows Homestead Program, and Ambercare who have been a true blessing to the family. We will all miss you sweet Ellen! Arrangements are with Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces NM 88001. Please visit www.GetzCares.com to sign the local online guest book