Enjoyed sailing, active at Centre Church
LYNNFIELD — Mary Frances (Heywood) Wilkinson, 93, died peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2023.
She was born in Norfolk, Virginia on Nov. 10, 1929 to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter W. Heywood. She was a graduate of Annapolis High School and the Bard Avon School in Baltimore.
Mary married the love of her life, Naval air cadet 1c William A. Wilkinson of Lynnfield in 1950. Six weeks later, Bill received orders to report to fighter squadron VF 32 aboard the USS Leyte in Norfolk, Va., flying the F-4U Corsair.
While Mary and Bill children were still young, they discovered sailing. This became a true passion for Bill and Mary, a family legacy of time on the water began. Their cruising grounds included Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Brador Lakes in Canada, the New England coast, the Caribbean and Bahamas and along the Florida coast. After Bill retired, he and Mary spent many wonderful days sailing with good friends and family in Northeast Harbor, Maine and Punta Gorda, Fla., where they were members of Isles Yacht Club. Mary was always a great hostess, bringing plenty of goodies to eat while sailing.
As a mother, Mary happily served as a Girl Scout leader, Den mother and hosted many birthday parties for her children. She also encouraged them to participate in church groups and Christian retreats. Mary was active in Centre Congregational Church with many activities including Get Together Wheel. In Punta Gorda, she was a charter member of the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.
Mary is survived by her loving children and their spouses: Linda C. DiSesa of Madeira Beach, Florida; and Robert H. (Nancy) Wilkinson of Ashland, Virginia. Mary’s grandchildren also survive her: Kara E Dudman (Dylan Reno) of Burlington, Vermont; William A.Wilkinson of Ashland, Virginia and Emma I. Wilkinson of Ashland, Virginia. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Beatrice A.Wilkinson of Webster, Texas. Mary was preceded in death by her husband William A.Wilkinson, daughter Susan A. Dudman, granddaughter Bethany L. Dudman, sister-in-law Jacquelyn W. (Charles) Crawford, brother-in-law Richard W. Wilkinson and son-in-law David A. DiSesa.
A celebration of life for Mary will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Centre Church in Lynnfield, followed by interment at Forest Hills Cemetery in Lynnfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Macular Degeneration Association, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100, Sarasota, Fla. 34232. For guestbook and directions, visit mcdonaldfs.com.
