REGINA E. WILSON

FUNERAL HOME

Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West

Silver Spring, Maryland

REGINA WILSON Obituary

REGINA E. WILSON (Age 94)
On Monday, January 19, 2015, of Columbia, MD. Beloved wife of the late Charles M. Wilson, Jr.; mother of Michael D. Wilson, Stephen M. Wilson (Stacey), Meredith R. Wilson; sister of Daniel Overath; grandmother of Wendy Shambley, Jessica Morgan, Anthony Wilson, and Kyle Wilson. Also survived by two great grandchildren, Kaylyn and Gillian Crossland, and many loving nieces and nephews, whose lives she greatly affected. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Sunday, January 25, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine Laboure, Veirs Mill & Claridge Roads, Wheaton, MD, on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Entombment Gate of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 22, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for REGINA WILSON

Sponsored by Paul Marshall .

9 Entries

January 17, 2016

Eulogy for my Mother

Good morning everyone. My brothers Mike & Steve join me in extending our heartfelt gratitude for your part here today to pay tribute to a great woman.

She was Regina Elaine Overath Wilson, Jean, Aunt Jean, Mom, Gram. She was born in 1920 into a generation that survived the Great Depression and WWII. She was the 5th of eight children. Even though she told stories of great struggle growing up, one theme always shone through....that of the love for and deep devotion to her family. And of course laughter and humor. I had the pleasure of talking to her brother, our Uncle Dan, on Saturday night. I called him at a time that I was working on this eulogy and I was teary. By the end of our conversation I was still in tears but from laughing as he told me stories of his remembrances. He reminded me that Mom was an excellent athlete and was on her high school basketball team, complete with a uniform that he described as awful black bloomers and ugly blue and gold striped wool stockings. He remembers a house full of music. Our grandmother Mahsie played the piano, Uncle George played the ukulele and banjo. And he, my Mom and Aunt Betty would be in the kitchen (while the girls did dishes and he sat and did nothing....his words, not mine) and they would sing all of the popular songs. He said Mom knew every word. He told me that he actually named the little singing group Danny Overath and his Two Sisters. I'm sure Uncle Dan and I could have stayed on the phone for hours (I think he wanted to), recounting funny story after funny story.

After graduating from high school in 1938, her family moved from Newark, NJ to Park Rd. in Washington DC. She became a career girl helping to support her family. She enjoyed telling us the story of receiving her pay in cash in an envelope and handing that envelope over to her mother. Her mother would then give her 1 or 2 dollars from that envelope for her to keep and do whatever she wanted with it. Yep, devotion to her family.

She met our father in 1945 while they were both working for Prudential. He was also a DC fireman. They married in 1949. She continued to work, only to take a break to have and raise us 3 kids. She went back to work when I was five.

Some of my fondest memories of my youth and of my mother are times spent with her many siblings, their spouses and our dozens of cousins. Trips to the beach, Ocean City MD or Wildwood NJ, often with those aunts, uncles and cousins there at the same time. Boy, did we take up a large section of the beach. There were holidays together, picnics in backyards, drives to Livingston NJ to visit Uncle George, her oldest brother, and his family. There was never a shortage of family events.

Do I dare mention that Mom was a die hard Redskin fan? She rarely missed a game and in recent years I loved being with her to watch the game. Maybe now they'll have some help from above in upcoming seasons.

We lost our Dad in 1972. She was only 51 and became a single working Mom. What we saw during this time was her toughness, her steadfastness, her determination, and of course her devotion to us and her family. And there was still always lots of laughter. She reveled in the lives of her children, being supportive at sporting events and enjoying the neighborhood kids coming over to visit. What I remember is her "lighting up" and "coming alive" when young people were around and there was always a lot of, you guessed it, laughter. My brothers and I are so grateful for the outpouring of affection on social media from our childhood friends sharing their fond memories of Momma Wilson. They called her Momma Wilson because she treated each and every one like her own.

She retired from Prudential at the age of 60. People asked why retire so early? She replied "I want to retire while I'm still young enough to enjoy it". And enjoy it she did. She took a line from our Uncle Bud..."Everyday is Saturday". She so enjoyed spending time with her nearby siblings and shopping for bargains with Aunt Madalyn and Aunt Betty. We are sure that the three of them are shopping at Value City in Heaven and as she would say "peeing their pants" laughing.

She became a snowbird with her sister Madalyn spending time in the winter at Aunt Madalyns condo in New Smyrna Beach, FL. But she would only stay about a month as opposed to Aunt Madalyns six months because she didn't like to be away from us too long.

People would say to her "So now you'll move to Leisure World". "OH NO" she would say "I do not want to be around those old fogeys". She continued to say this almost up to the day she died. No afternoons at a senior center for her. Certainly no senior bus trips "being herded like cattle" and boy did she hate bingo. Being around young people was where it was at for her. Especially her adoring and adored many nieces and nephews. Over these last few days of talking to family members and friends, there is one common thread.....that we got so much more out of being around her, listening to her stories, hearing her straight forward view (she often was not one to mince words. If you didn't want to know the truth, then don't ask!) and laughing our heads off then the other way around. But she would certainly tell you different.

If you haven't guessed by now, let me tell you that family was EVERYTHING to our Mom, her #1 priority. Please always remember this.

We are grateful that we had her for so long, that she was so strong for so long. Let me give you an example of her strength. At the age of 90 she decided to proceed with knee replacement surgery. Because of her age and heart condition, her doctors were not in favor. But she was determined. Her words to me were "I'm 90, I've had a good life, if I die on the operating table so be it. I am not living the rest of my life with this pain". Her doctors finally agreed and the surgery was a complete success.

We are joyful that her mind was so sharp for so long, up until just a few months ago. She was our go-to person for all family details. Dates, birthdays, events, she remembered it all. She amazed and dazzled friends, relatives, her doctors, anybody she came in contact with. Maybe part of her secret was doing the daily Washington Post crossword puzzle. Toward the end she was aware that her mind wasn't what it used to be and now I then I would see the frustration on her face.

I speak for myself when I say that I pray that I can be half as tough as she was, that I can carry forth her kindness, her determination, her sweet heart and her unending love and deep devotion for her family, her humor, and of course lots of laughter. We shed tears today for ourselves because oh how we will miss her. But look at what she has left behind for us to remember. Please carry that in your hearts forever and remember her with lots of laughter. She would want us to be doing a lot of that today.

Your loving daughter,
Meredith Regina Wilson
January 26, 2015

January 30, 2015

Steve. Sorry to hear about your mom passing. Judging by what a fine person you are, she must have been a wonderful person, too. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Tony & Mary Jo Consoli

January 24, 2015

Dear Meredith,
We are so sorry to hear about your Mom. You and all of the Wilson Family are in our thoughts & prayers.

Jack & Nora Overath

January 24, 2015

We were sorry to hear about Aunt Jean. Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to to you.

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January 23, 2015

Sorry we can't be with you as you celebrate the life of beloved Aunt Jean. She is sorely missed already. We are trying to remember her with a smile instead of tears. It's a hard job. Love and prayers, Peg and Jim Ernst

Rose

January 23, 2015

My love is with you at this especially difficult time in your life. My prayers for you and your family to embrace your wonderful memories of your mom.

Renee Overath

January 22, 2015

Dear Cousins, Sending thoughts and prayers your way. It is clear that your mother was much beloved by you all. I remember her wonderful, easy laughter. I hope your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.

January 22, 2015

Thoughts and prayers with you, that you find comfort and peace in God's love.
- Steve Collins (AL)

McCarthy

January 22, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss. May the Most High God comfort you as you mourn the loss of your loved one. (Psalm 83:18)

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