Wilma J. Gilmore

Ludlowville, NY

Wilma J. Gilmore of Ludlowville passed away January 17, 2015 at Cayuga Medical Center at the age of 81.

Wilma, known to many as Willie, was a unique person of remarkable skills, interests, achievements and contributions. She loved life. Willie was tireless and able in any undertaking. Her constant energy was unmatched. Most of all she was a best friend, companion and sweetheart to Bill, her husband of more than sixty years.

Born March 14, 1933, in Saarbrucken, Germany, she was the only child of the late Octavian and Wilhelmina Wagner Maximilian. She met her future husband, William H. Gilmore, at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh where both were students. They were inseparable, married in 1952, and both graduated from Carnegie in 1953. They relocated to the Lansing area in 1969. Wilma was a former elementary art teacher in Old Forge and Remsen NY. She had over twenty years of dedicated service with Ithaca College and retired as Director of Instructional Resources. An accomplished musician, she was a past organist and choir director at Lansing United Methodist Church, as well as a past president of the Auraca Society of Herbarists in Tompkins County which has a close affiliation with Cornell Plantations. Wilma was a lover of gardening, cooking, reading and animals. She had a fascination with visiting and photographing many of the older cemeteries in upstate NY. She also enjoyed many camping trips with family and friends to the Adirondack region.

It was a gift to have Willie in our lives. Memories of her are cherished.

Wilma is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, William H. Gilmore; their children, Vicky Gilmore of Woodstock, VT and Bruce Gilmore of Freeville; grandchildren, Amanda Terwillegar (Keith), Angela Rose Chaffee, John Townsend, James Townsend and Rachael Townsend; and two great grandchildren, Rosie and Lea Terwillegar of Burlington, VT.

In keeping with Wilma’s wishes, no public services are scheduled. For those who wish to remember Wilma in the form of a contribution, memorials may be directed to the SPCA of Tompkins County, 1640 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.

Lansing Funeral Home is assisting the family.