Elaine C. Woods

Elaine C. Woods, 74, of Westborough, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, February 5, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester.

Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late George, Sr., and Lydia (David) Hashway.  She was predeceased by her brother George Hashway Jr. and ex-husband Charles Woods.

She was a graduate of North High School in Worcester, earned a diploma at Memorial School of Nursing, Worcester and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  From 1965 to 1967 Elaine served with the Peace Corp in Afghanistan where she was an RN Nursing Instructor of Basic Nursing. From 1971 to 1974 she served with the Air National Guard Reserve at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire as a Flight Nurse earning the rank of Capitan.

Elaine spent her professional career caring for others as a registered nurse.  Her selfless commitment to those in need carried through hospitals in the local area, most notably Memorial Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, New England Baptists Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital and finishing her career with over 20 years of service at Westborough State Hospital.  She made many strong relationships with her nursing peers that carried throughout her life.

In addition to her career Elaine involved herself in many hobbies including photography, being absorbed in nature, gardening and spending time with friends and family.  She enjoyed cooking and preparing meals based on her Syrian heritage and hosting social gatherings.  She found joy with the peace and serenity of her summer camp on Raymond Pond in Maine.  While she did not coin the phrase she subscribed to the philosophy that the good things in life are free, like a warm sunset or colorful foliage.  In recent years she was relied upon for reading stories to her grandchildren and sharing her belief in the importance of kindness.

Elaine is survived by her two sons, Luke C. Woods and his wife, Lesley, of Whitinsville and Peter J. Woods and his wife, Kristin, of Gorham, ME; sister-in-law Louise Hashway, of West Boylston; four grandchildren, Sawyer, Tucker, Kate and Emily.  She also leaves behind three nephews Nathan, Matthew and Andrew Hashway along with their respective families.  Elaine also loved the children from her ex-husbands first marriage; Wendy, Linda, Judy, Andy and Ted as if they were her own.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 10th, at 10:00 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Calling hours at the David A. Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Friday, February 9th, from 4:30-7:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at https://www.bcrf.org/