Lois Wilson's Obituary
On the evening of December 17th, our mom, Lois Marguerite Wilson, a resident of San Carlos and Redwood City throughout her adult life, was lifted into heaven by angels where she was united with family and countless friends.
Mom’s greatest asset was that she had a heart the size of the universe. We believe she was placed on this earth to be a mother. With four children she lavished us with love and care. In a household of six it wasn’t always easy at times, but Mom possessed an inner strength and outward comfort that made us all feel safe. She was a lifetime safety net.
Mom, who lived a full life to 98+ years, throughout her life was a beautiful person both externally and internally. She was a friend to everyone; and each and every person she ever met adored her for her kindness and humanity. As a mother to son, Terry Wilson; and sisters, Sue Wilson; Carol Juilleret (Dan); and Cathy Wilson she was incredible. Her love, warmth and sensitivity to every aspect of our being was unwavering by her throughout our lives. A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Mom grew up in Alameda, California with her parents and two brothers: Stan and Bill, all of whom preceded her in death. During World War II she was a volunteer for a Navy Admiral as a clerk typist. She met her husband, Phil Wilson, on the beach at Santa Cruz. They soon married and started a family. With four children within five years of each other she was a stay-at-home mother until they all matriculated from high school. It was then that she joined the work force as secretary for two real estate companies located in San Carlos.
She ultimately joined the all-male group of realtors at Terrace Realty in Redwood City as Secretary/Admin Assistant. She was the beautiful rose among the thorns. Living upstairs in an apartment, when she arrived they all voiced that it must be 9 a.m. The joke was she was always a little late—must have been heavy elevator traffic—but she stayed late to get all of the day’s work completed. A splendid baker she never forget an agent’s birthday and treated them to her fabulous fudge. When the Terrace building caught fire some years later she was rescued by the RC Fire Department from her fourth floor apartment.
Throughout her life she loved to dance, and was an excellent swing dancer. She also enjoyed golfing and bicycling. At one point she was a member of the San Carlos Women’s Athletic Club. But her primary focus in life was always family. Every holiday, barbeque, graduation, wedding and birth were special. Even in death her composure and comfort brought a calmness. Birthdays were very special in the Wilson, Juilleret and Sanders households. No matter what age you were turning there was a cake and presents. The number of candles on the specially-flavored desserts were not always accurate. If they were, surely the fire department would not approve such a potential conflagration. We would always sing off-key, but who cared?
As the years went on she became a grandmother of three: Michael Sanders (Heather); Andy Wilson; and Mathew Wilson (Lindsey) and seven great grandsons: Brady, Lucas, Riley and Jaxon; and Bryce, Ian and Wesley. To say she doted on all of us was an understatement.
I have tried so hard to sum up all the feelings and love I had for Mumsie—a name I often called her because it is fun and whimsical. I found the perfect words in Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography Born to Run. It reads: “My Mom remains magic; people love her when they meet her, as they should. She continues to fill the indomitable spirit of optimism, a heartbreaking toughness, no cynicism, laughter and great humor. She is heart, heart, heart. Her resilience, good soul and desire to do right still guide her. She settles in as Mother and Grandma and Great-Grandma. If you met her, you would know her in and instant…and you would love her. Like I do.” I’m sure The Boss would not mind me borrowing his passage for this testimonial to Mom.
Mom was that special. Our entire family have felt so blessed our entire life. Now that she has passed, we are blessed that she was with so many of us for so long. The family will miss her forever and ever, but she is now where she belongs.
The family will hold private services as Lois Marguerite Wilson will be cremated and reunited with her parents in the mausoleum at Mt. View Cemetery in Oakland, California.
What’s your fondest memory of Lois?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lois?
Share a story where Lois' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lois you’ll never forget.
How did Lois make you smile?