Carol Ann Gidding Wilson passed away on May 11, 2023, in Virginia Beach aged 93. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Donald Stuart (Stu) Wilson and by her brother, James Gordon Gidding of Chevy Chase Md.

Carol was born January 10, 1930 in Washington Court House, Ohio, to Olive and Earl Gidding. The family farm and her home in Washington Court house, which was on the national historic registry, were very important to her.   She was very proud to have played the drums in her school marching band and enjoyed the weekly socials/dances on Friday nights. She remained very close with her hometown friends throughout her lifetime.    Upon graduation she went to Smith College in Northampton MA. She graduated from Smith in 1951, but not before spending her junior year at Ohio State University where she met Stu, then a first-year law student. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Stu joined the USAF for flight training. On December 15, 1951, one hour after she pinned the wings on the proud new 2^nd Lt. Pilot, Carol and Stu were married at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma.

Carol enjoyed several interesting jobs.  She worked for a brief time at the CIA doing research and was sent to Georgetown School of foreign Service to learn the Russian language.  Thereafter, she worked at the University of California Department of Entomology as part of a team determining the effects of various insecticides on photosynthesis in citrus plants, and appeared on the cover of its Journal (Rosie the Riveter aside, at the time it was still unusual for a woman to appear on the cover of any publication not specifically geared for women).  While Stu finished law school she worked at Ohio State University as a researcher and assistant editor for their economics magazine. Later in life she worked in real estate sales on Chicago’s North Shore. However, the job she felt was the most rewarding and fun was Coordinator of Volunteers at a local Catholic hospital. Over 12 years, before retirement, she oversaw over 1000 junior and senior volunteers. She often spoke fondly about her “Juniors” and loved them almost as much as her own.

Carol was also involved in many community activities over the years including:  Cancer Crusade, Board member; Multiple Sclerosis, Board Member; PTA, Board Member; League of Women Voters, Board Member; New Trier Women’s Republican Club, Board Member; Smith College Club and Delta Gamma Club.  Carol also enjoyed traveling with family and extended family domestically and abroad.

Carol was a lifelong devout Catholic, and while she was not one to proselytize, when Stu felt his own church no longer reflected his values, he officially converted to Catholicism. For the last third of their lives they rarely missed a Mass together. Carol (and Stu) epitomized the best of “The Greatest Generation” with their belief in hard work, personal responsibility, and devotion to family, faith and Country. They will be missed.

Carol is survived by her son Sturt Gidding Wilson of Charlottesville, daughter Dr. Ann Hillery Lake (Peter) of Virginia Beach, VA; daughter Catherine Tracy Wilson of Wilmette IL; grandsons Tyler Wilson Lake (Hilary) and Charles Edward Lake of Virginia Beach; brothers-in-law Roger Wilson (Linnae) of Ohio and Bruce Wilson of Maryland as well as many nephews and nieces and grand nephews and nieces.

Following a memorial service at Holy Family Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, Carol’s ashes will be placed with Stu’s in the columbarium. At a later date Carol and Stu’s ashes will be interred together in Washington Court House Ohio.

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