ANITA PRUDDEN LEONARD WILDER

WILDER, ANITA PRUDDEN LEONARD

Anita Prudden Leonard Wilder was born May 23, 1917 in Evanston, IL. She was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frank A. Leonard. She lived her early years in Illinois, where her father was a dentist. During the Depression, her family moved to Florida for a short period where her father opened a dental practice, but back to Illinois when the country started to recover from financial hardship. Anita graduated from Evanston High School in 1934, after which health issues caused the family once again to move south to Miami, Florida. After her freshman year at the University of Tampa, Anita transferred to the Florida State College for Women, Tallahassee. She majored in home economics and science, graduating in 1938 with a BSHE and a minor in science. She joined Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and was a proud member and alum for 75 years.

Anita began her teaching career in Punta Gorda, FL, soon after graduation, and it was here that she met her future husband, Daniel Barry Wilder, Jr. They married June 1, 1940, in the Episcopal Church in Punta Gorda and began their life together in Tampa, where Barry worked for Tampa Telephone. But World War II intervened and Barry was called to duty in the US Navy. Sea duty kept him away for months and months at a time. But as a member of what has been called the "Greatest Generation", Anita, like so many other wives on the home front, persevered. They were blessed with Daniel Barry, III, on August 21, 1941 and Mary Ann on June 11, 1943. Anita was not even able to get word to Barry that their second child was a girl until Mary Ann was six months old!

At War's end, Barry remained in the Navy for a 22 year career, but without sea-duty they were stationed in Annapolis, New Hampshire, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and finally Washington once more. Anita, during these years continued teaching, especially enjoying her years as director and beloved teacher of "her" little ones at the VCHA nursery school she established in Washington. In 1957, she began her career as a medical technologist at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. She continued as a med tech in Washington, first at Walter Reed Medical Center and then at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Barry's retirement from the Navy brought them back to Florida where they settled in Gainesville. But neither was ready to retire to merely a rocking chair on the front porch, so Anita began work for the UF Extension Office in the Home Ec. Department, then in laboratory research at the Veterinary Science Dept., UF, and finally in the pathology lab at J. Hillis Miller Health Center, where she became the interim director of the department before retirement.

In addition to full time employment, she donated her time in many ways to helping others. She devoted her energy to the altruistic endeavors of many groups such as the University Women's Club, where she served as president, Retired Officer's Wives Club, Colonial Dames of American, and Alpha Chi Omega Sorority Alumni, women's circles at both St. Michael's Episcopal Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal. She held numerous offices in each of these groups.

Her beautiful soprano voice and love for ecclesiastical music made her a welcome member to each church choir she belonged to throughout her life.

Anita is survived by her husband of 70 years, Daniel Barry Wilder, Jr.; son, Dan (Glenna); daughter, Mary Ann Runyon (Brad); four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Arthur Leonard of Dallas, TX, and Dr. Walter (Alice) Leonard of Longwood, FL.

Her gracious charm and loving ways will be sorely missed by all.

A Memorial Service to be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd St. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE First Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 or Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.

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WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA

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