Virginia Wilson

MADISON- Virginia C. Wilson, 100, died peacefully, in her sleep, at her home, August 30, 2016.
Born July 11, 1916 Frederick, Maryland, an only child. Moved with her family to Philadelphia age 12. Graduated from Germantown High School, 1934. Worked at a Germantown Ave. bank (still operating in the same stone building) while living at home until her 1943 marriage, to US Air Force First Lieutenant C. Theodore Bauer, an only child, of Philadelphia, who immediately shipped out to Europe where he served in both England and Belgium until the end of World War II. As a young military wife lived briefly in Ogden, Utah, but eventually moved to Pitman, New Jersey, and had one child, Charles T. Bauer (Chuck) 1947. Soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, living in the "latest invention": a brand new house-trailer. One year later, widowed by polio, retuned to Philadelphia, a single mother. In 1952 married Robert A. Wilson, an only child, (1916-2008), career US Army, and her son's godfather, and whom Chuck often called, too much hilarity, over many years, "A Friend of the Family." Six months after her second marriage, moved to Munich, Germany and remained there three years travelling widely in Italy, throughout Austria, and Bavaria, and making a warm home in sometimes very cramped quarters.
Returned to King of Prussia, PA, and drove a station-wagon "school bus" for the William Penn Charter School, founded 1689, from which both her husbands, and her son, graduated. In 1960 moved to Naha, Okinawa, Japan, and enjoyed vacations to Hong Kong, Macau, Manila, Yokohama, Tokyo, etc. Also studied Ikebana Flower Arranging (receiving three degrees, including an honorific Japanese name YOSEI), Japanese Sumi-e Ink Painting, Japanese Doll Making, and Chinese Cooking. Returned to Lafayette Hill, PA where she taught Ikebana, and was anointed "Culinary Queen" by a local newspaper.
Soon moved to Frankfurt, Germany, 1964, for three years, enjoying vacations in Paris, London, Venice, Amsterdam, Berlin (West), Rome, Zurich, etc. Later moved to Springfield, MA for three years, living in a three story Italianate Revival Victorian Mansion on the grounds of the famous Springfield Armory, an institution dating from the Revolutionary War, and now a National Historic Site, before finally returning to Philadelphia, 1968. Later lived in Ashville, KY, for one year, but eventually settled in Memphis, TN where for twenty years she was active as an officer in the Memphis Garden Club, and other civic organizations. In 1984, age 69, was the victim of a terrorist attack against US Military World War II veterans and their families on vacation in the Philippines, and in the middle of the night jumped from a window of a burning hotel onto a tile roof two floors below, and then negotiated a primitive ladder, supplied just in time by a running man who could never be found later, to reach the ground. Broke leg, and back, but recovered fully. Moved to Madison, WI, in 1999 where she said, after many visits, "I've never had a bad meal." Two years later, at age 86 began painting in watercolor which she continued for over ten years, exhibiting three times. Has enjoyed the many comforts of independent living at Oakwood Village West for the past 13 years. Most recently thoroughly enjoyed her 100 year birthday celebration attended by 60. In the reception line, one young man asked her,
"What is your secret?" Without hesitation, she replied, "Well, I try not to take things too seriously, and I try not to get too upset over things." Survived by one son, Charles T. Bauer, and one son-in-law, Charles E. Beckwith, together with many loved ones, devoted friends, generous admirers, and, especially, many loyal caregivers, to all of whom she was deeply grateful, especially over the past few weeks. Services private. Gifts, donations, remembrances, may be sent to Dane County Humane Society.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434