Obituary of Winifred Heiskell Wildman

Winifred Heiskell Wildman passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her side on December 26th, 2015. She was born February 21, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Dr. Edgar Frank Heiskell Sr. and Olwen John Heiskell. As the matriarch of the family, Winifred is survived by her three children and their spouses, Randy and Sandy Wildman of Bluffton, SC, David and Judi Wildman of Morgantown and Amy Wildman Smith and Michael Smith of Morgantown. She is also survived by her four grandsons and their spouses, Simon and Molly Wildman, Brooks Smith, Scott Smith and Tim and Sydney Smith. Winnie was also a great grandmother to the newest member of the family, Rightley Wildman. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and family members whom she loved dearly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 50 years, John L. Wildman, as well as her two brothers, Neil J. Heiskell and Dr. Edgar F. Heiskell Jr. and his wife Barbara "Bobby" Heiskell, and her nephew, John C. Heiskell. Known affectionately as "Winnie", she graduated from Morgantown High in 1938. She then attended and graduated from Sullins College, as well as West Virginia University in 1943. While at WVU she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Through her adult years, in addition to raising her family, Winnie was involved in the community in many organizations including the Mon General Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross, and was an alumna advisor to Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was also a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church. Known as a great hostess, Winnie thrived in every social setting and loved being surrounded by her family and friends. Along with social gatherings she loved to garden, play golf, and play bridge. She was also known as a great swimmer and regularly showed off by swimming across Cheat Lake, while in her later years teaching her grandchildren how to execute the perfect dive. She was an avid WVU sports fan and attended Mountaineer basketball games regularly until the age of 89. The family wishes to thank our Mother's caregivers over the last several years. She was very blessed to receive kind, compassionate care in the last years of her life, but especially from the loving, devoted staff at Fitzwaters Assisted Living in Fairmont, WV. Family will receive friends at Hastings Funeral Home 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown on Wednesday, December 30th from 4-6p.m. The Memorial Service will be held at 6:00p.m. with Rev. Monica Styron officiating. Cremation service provided by Hastings Funeral Home, Omega Crematory. Inurnment will be held at East Oak Grove Cemetery. Winnie loved Morgantown and loved the community. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to The Heiskell Memorial Lecture Fund at the WVU Foundation. 1 Waterfront Place, 7th floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650 or WV Alzheimer's Association, 1601 2nd Avenue, Charleston, WV 25387.