Demetra Corombos Wilson

Demetra Corombos Wilson Dec. 19, 1922- Oct. 26, 2005 Demetra "Dee" Wilson passed away peacefully in her sleep at her Livermore home on October 26, 2005 at age 82. She was born on Dec. 19, 1922 in Racine, Wisconsin to George and Marika Corombos. Dee graduated from Iron Mountain High School and the University of Chicago. During college, she took a years leave to work in an airplane manufacturing plant to support the war effort. After college, she worked in Washington D.C. and New York City for some years before her growing interest in the sport of rock climbing drew her to California. She met her husband on a mountaineering trip in the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. They were married on Feb. 24, 1949 and lived in Berkeley while James completed his doctorate. They moved for a year to Albuquerque, then settled in Livermore in 1953. Mrs. Wilson is survived by her husband, James, and their five children: Leslie Ramsey Wilson II, of Chico, Marika (Thomas) Smith, of South Bend, George (Sharman) Wilson of Livermore, Tasia (Tom) James of Livermore and Peter Banker Wilson of Simi Valley. She is also survived by her seventeen beloved grandchildren: Lisa (Craig) Almaguer, Alan McIntrye Smith, Stuart Wagers Smith, Edward Michael Marsh, Demetra Canna Smith, Thea Marika Wilson, Glen Ricker Florey, Amber Celeste Wilson, Sarah Tasia Wilson, John Sheldon Marsh, Andrew Wilson Smith, Owen Cotton Florey, Lyle Avery Wilson, Marian Elizabeth James, Philip Carl Smith, Patrick Thomas James, and Duncan Ricker Smith, and one great-grandchild, Meara Sophia Almaguer. She was prededed in death by her brothers, Theodore and Everett Corombos, and is survived by her sister, Vicky Lusas of Connecticut, her brother-in-law, Bill (Florence)Wilson of Pleasant Hill, and her sister-in-law, Esther Corombos of Florida, and many nieces, nephews and their children. Demetra devoted herself to a variety of civic and charitable endeavors. She was active in the League of Women voters, the Symphony Guild, the Unitarian Church, The Nursery School Scholarship Fund, and the Tri Valley Haven. She served on the Board of Trustees for the Livermore Unified School District. Her hobbies included writing, weaving, sewing, stitchery and quilt making. She crocheted blankets and designed distinctive, colorful quilts for all her children, grandchildren and many friends. She enjoyed sharing these activities for many years with friends in stitchery and quilting groups. Demetra was known for her enthusiastic hospitality for friends and family that continued through a celebration last weekend for her husband's 83rd birthday. She gathered her children and grandchildren in the Bear Valley Lodge. Demetra delighted in world wide travel. Her foreign adventures began with a trip to accompany her mother to her birthplace in Greece. She took many trips with her husband, including a sabbatical year in Cambridge, England, and numerous travels with friends and family. While her rock climbing slowed when she had children, Dee continued to enjoy family hiking and camping trips across the country. For many years, she also organized what she dubbed "Ladies leisurely Knap-sack Trips" for her women friends and their daughters, seeking beautiful mountain routes each year. Demetra Wilson has many friends and relatives who will cherish their memories of her lively mind, outspoken personality, and generous heart. All are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, 1893 North Vasco Road, Livermore.