Mary Frances (Heywood) Wilkinson, 93, died peacefully with family by her side on Wed. 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, Mass. in 1950. Six weeks later Bill received orders to report to fighter squadron VF 32 aboard the USS Leyte in Norfolk, Virginia flying the F-4U Corsair.
While the 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, Florida 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 Lynnfield Centre 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; grandchildren, Kara E Dudman (Dylan Reno) of Burlington, Vermont; William A.Wilkinson of Ashland, Virginia, Emma I. Wilkinson of Ashland, Virginia; 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 11am 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, Florida 34232.
