Wilma Delp

Wilma Hamilton Delp, 72, of Lakewood Ranch, died peacefully at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on December 1, 2021. Wilma was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 2, 1949. She was a lifelong educator and community leader who was dedicated to helping the many students she came in contact with over the course of her more than 40 years as a teacher, principal, administrator, school superintendent, consultant and school board member. Her goal was always to see that students were given every opportunity to achieve their goals. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.
She is survived by her husband of 18 years William Delp, daughters, Stacy Straus (Marc) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Kary Schwarz (Jon) of Parrish and son Clinton Delp (Melinda) of Waukegan, Illinois. Also, surviving are her brother Scott Hamilton (Patty), cousins Jeanne and Tom Hamilton all of Cleveland, Ohio. She has seven grandchildren, Savannah, Jordan, Griffin, Justin, Gracie, Michael and Jayden. She is also survived by six nieces and nephews, Mike (Kelly), Anne, Diane, Jennifer, Brian (Shelley), Becky (Steve) and great-nephew Ben.
Following her retirement as Sarasota Superintendent of Schools Wilma married William Delp in 2004 in Lake Bluff, Illinois. They resided in Wadsworth, Illinois for 12 years before returning to Florida upon Bill's retirement. During her career, Wilma's positions included serving as an assistant professor in Colorado; Florida Atlantic University; principal at Pine View School for the gifted in Sarasota; Superintendent of Schools for Sarasota County from 2000-2003. Upon her retirement as superintendent, she began private consulting work with The Patterson Foundation of Sarasota; The Rapides Foundation of Alexandria, Louisiana; The Harvest Foundation in Martinsville, Virginia. She also served on the school board for Community Day School. Wilma was considered a leader within the community and a faithful friend to many. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Celebration of Life for Wilma Hamilton Delp Saturday, December 18, 2021 from Pine View School zoom opens at 9:30 program will begin at 10:00. Below is the zoom link. https://sarasotacountyschools.zoom.us/j/.89206318572
In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the following:
Community Foundation of Sarasota
Donations to Seasons of Sharing https://www.cfsarasota.org/donors/support-our-community/donation-processing
Special Education District of Lake Country (SEDOL) Foundation https://sedolfoundation.org/
Community Day School Scholarship Funds
Please select the Wilma Hamilton Scholarship Fund (under specific program) https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E343746&id=14