Obituary of Mary Jane Wilson

Mary Jane Wilson, 98, formerly of Lakewood, NY, passed away at 8:35 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2016, in the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility. A lifelong Lakewood area resident, she was born January 9, 1918 in Jamestown, NY a daughter of the late Gustave H. and Florence Wahlgren Pihlblad. She was a 1937 graduate of the former Lakewood High School. During the 1940's, Mary Jane had worked in the office of Dr. Bourne in Jamestown for many years. On May 7, 1949, she married Cornell E. Wilson, who was a local self-employed lumber and veneer salesman. After an extended illness, Cornell passed away on November 21, 1998. During her younger years she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Lakewood Women's Club and the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. Mary Jane will be remembered as a loving and caring person by all who knew her. She will be especially remembered and treasured by her family members for bringing everyone together for special family gatherings. She enjoyed cooking and baking Swedish foods and other favorite family recipes and was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends. She had a special love for children, whose presence she cherished and brought her great joy throughout her long life. She is survived by a niece, Julie Smith of Sebastopol, CA, two nephews, James (Jayne) Rugg of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Braden Anderson of Villa Park, CA, two grand nieces, one great-grand niece and two great-grand nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Cornell E. Wilson, she was preceded in death by a brother, Gordon Pihlblad, three sisters, Jeanne Rugg, Helen Smith, Virginia Anderson and a niece Margaret Rugg. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2016, in the Sunset Hill Cemetery Chapel. The Rev. Violet Davidson, retired pastor will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Lakewood Memorial Library, 12 West Summit Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750, Chautauqua County Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750 or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave a condolence to Mary Jane's family at www.lindfuneralhome.com