Sister Amelia Wilmer F.S.M.D.

She was born on July 23, 1948 in Waldorf, Maryland to Lemuel and Elsie Wilmer. Her father was a farmer of a large farm and served with the Army Corps of Engineers. Her mother was a homemaker. Amelia was the first-born of the three Wilmer children. Both her brother Joseph and her sister Catherine are deceased. The Wilmer family attended St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Maryland.

At the age of 20, Amelia attended the College of Southern Maryland with the intent of earning a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. In 1968, her plans were shattered. She suffered severe depression, and had a psychotic breakdown. Even amidst those problems, Amelia was able to work as a sales clerk, beautician and a medical assistant.

Amelia always fought off the urge to quit. Being the oldest, she was the caregiver for her father after he had a stroke; he died in 1987. And, at about the same time, her mother was diagnosed with cancer, and so Amelia became her mother’s caregiver, as well. Her mother died in 1988.

I can’t remember how and when I first met Amelia over 20 years ago; but I now know why we met…looking back it was a “Divine Appointment.” I recall she and I getting together every several weeks for morning coffee, and her keen interest in talking about God and His teachings. Every year, we celebrated her birthday at G&M’s restaurant in Linthicum Heights. And, each time, we had the same lunch: crab cakes and strawberry short cake. And we gave her the same presents: gift cards to Burger King. I also recall that almost every year she would ask me to take her to the Anglican All Saints Sisters of the Poor retreat house in Catonsville for her annual retreat. Things started to happen to Amelia when in August, 2009, the Sisters decided to enter the Catholic Church. It was on July 23, 2018 that Amelia decided to become a Sister of the Divine Mercy, a Catholic lay evangelization apostolate in Annapolis, Maryland.

There are several months in her short career as a Sister that were truly superior. First, she became so understanding for God and his teachings, I would ask her the question that I was going to give to our Biblical Theology class before their test, She knew all the answers. Second, in the rehabilitation center where she was before she succumbed, she was lethargic as she lay in bed. Not knowing her real condition, I gave her an inspirational talk about God putting her there to evangelize the staff and patients. When I arrived the next evening, she was sitting in a wheelchair, eating whole carrots, and acting like she was ready to go home. I was shocked when I saw her. But, God had His way: she did evangelize everyone, and she did go home! “Well Done,” good and faithful servant!

Brother Robert Anthony, F.S.M.D.

Superior

A visitation for Sister Amelia will be held Friday, December 10, 2021 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 9:00 AM in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Interment Saint Mary’s Cemetery.