Amelia Wimer

Amelia Wimer, 90, of Ithaca, NY died peacefully at her home of 63 years on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Born on the 9th month, the 22nd day, '32 (that's how she always said it), in Bryant's Cove, Newfoundland, she was the daughter of the late James and Pearl Parsons. She came to Ithaca in 1951 on her 19th birthday, worked initially at Cornell University in the Willard Straight Dining Hall and then, with her husband, operated the Boulevard Diner (on Old Taughannock Blvd) for nine years. For the fifteen years to follow, she was the owner and Chief of Everything at Bud's Diner (now the Lincoln Street Diner). To those that didn't know her well, she could be a bit frightening-she was mischievous, had a dry sense of humor, and a sharp-witted tongue-she loved to jokingly give people a hard time shouting out famous lines like "Shut up and Eat" or "Hurry up-eat and get out." After "retirement," no matter the diner owner, she was always asked back to work for as long as she wanted and she continued to do so until one day in her 80s, her heart said, "get to work," but her legs said, "we just can't do it."
Amelia ran through life-there was no walking or sitting around. Every minute of each day was filled with movement until one of the many clocks in her home chimed 6:30pm and she would stop to watch the Channel 5 evening news. She never missed the news, always read the morning paper until it came with the mail and became the "mid-afternoon" paper. Although she always voted and was proud to be a United States citizen, her heart always remained that of a Newfoundlander. Her favorite things were doting on her grandchildren, gambling at the casino and pulling tabs with special friends at the VFW, shopping a good sale, cooking up a pot of soup, and making her home picture perfect; a Christmas card every year for sure. She was generous and loved surprising others with unexpected gifts or visits, was always humming and singing, had numerous childhood rhymes to share, loved her family fiercely and her friends just as much.
She is predeceased (2014) by her late husband of 57 years, Eldred "Bud" Wimer. She is survived by her three children: Mark (Sharon) Wimer of Freeville, NY; Debra (Robert) Morey of Freeville, NY, and Sharon Wimer-Norton. Also surviving are five grandsons, Benjamin, Landon, Tanner, Matthew, Jonathan; four sisters: Olive Holloway, Hazel Purcell, Ethel Stone, Greta Brickman, and her most precious honorary sister (cousin) Sybil Wahrenburg (Newfoundland) who she loved dearly and who called her every single day. With heartfelt appreciation to Sharon for being mom's caregiver for the last 3 years. You were able to give her the thing she always wanted-to stay in her home until the Christmas lights came on one last time and she had to leave. For that, we are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, please just hug your family and friends a bit tighter this holiday season. And, if you are so inclined, raise a toast to Amelia. She was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
The family will receive friends at the Herson Wagner Funeral Home, 110 S. Geneva St. Ithaca N.Y.on Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 1:00 Pm - 3:00 PM, at which time a memorial service will be held. Burial will be at a later date.