Margaret Wadsworth Bayliss

Obituary Margaret Wadsworth Bayliss (dear Meg) August 23, 1920 - March 27, 2006 Meg unexpectedly left these earthly bounds at 11:54 a.m. on March 27, a victim of congestive heart failure and COPD. She will be missed forever by her best friend, companion over these last 32 years and sometime caregiver Anita Sonia Moceri, of their home in Fircrest. She is deeply mourned by her children: Pamela deHaven Wood of New York City, Eric Fisher Wood III (Kathy) of Charleston, WV, Wendy Connelly (John) of Furlong, PA, and Christiane Dowling (Kenneth) of Port St. Lucie, FL. Meg is also survived by 6 dear grandchildren and 2 beloved great-grandsons. She will never be forgotten by her virtually life-long friend James Moceri, and by countless other friends near and far. The many young people in her life, who adored her, will carry memories of her throughout their lifetimes. Meg was the only child of Helen Mary Zell and Reginald Jeffrey Wadsworth, born to them in 1920 in Bryn Mawr, PA. She was raised in a loving family environment that included a beloved grandfather and assorted aunts and adopted aunts. Meg was an honor student at Radnor High School and achieved her scholastic dream when she received an all-inclusive 4-year scholarship to Bryn Mawr College, from which she graduated in 1941. In that same year she married the love of her life, Eric Fisher Wood, Jr., with whom she bore her first two children. Eric was tragically taken from her during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. During the first several years of the 1950's Meg, her new husband and the family, were in Paris. Fully occupied with being a mother, official hostess, unofficial tour guide and general helpmate, Meg also found time, for many of the years, to be an English instructor at SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), NATO's European headquarters. After the family's return to the United States Meg was actively engaged for many years as a beloved teacher of English, French and music at The Booth School in Rosemont, PA. In 1973, widowed once again, she renewed her long friendship with Anita and eventually joined her in a fascinating and ever-changing life in the arts and in law from Reston, VA to San Francisco and ultimately to the Pacific Northwest. Meg's passions were art, the spoken word, music (especially Bach), and staying in touch with family and friends. Anita is particularly grateful to the nursing and medical staff of Tacoma General Hospital who made Meg's final hours a period of graceful transition. Deep appreciation as well to Rosemarie Labriola, who gave gentle and kind care for over a year. Meg personified grace and dignity. May she ever be thus remembered. A celebration of Meg's life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 310 North K Street, Tacoma, WA 98403 at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 7, 2006. Private family inurnment at Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Meg's memory to Annual Fund Class of '41, Bryn Mawr College, 101 North Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010 . Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.