Wanda DeAnn Wilson

Wanda DeAnn Wilson passed away surrounded by family in Vancouver, Washington on June 22, 2017 after struggling with Neuronopathy since 2015. DeAnn was born on September 12, 1939, in Shelly, Idaho. She grew up on a potato farm near Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she learned the value of hard work. She graduated from Bonneville High School, in 1957. After High School, DeAnn attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho and then moved on to complete her degree in Bacteriology at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho in 1961.

She married Gareth Wilson in 1961 and moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where they lived until 1968. That year, the family moved to Bozeman, Montana. She attended Montana State University, completing her Masters in Microbiology in 1971. In 1973 the family moved to Portland, Oregon. She went to work for Providence Medical Center as the Manager of the Microbiology Laboratory, and as needed, the Chief Medical Technologist. She retired from PMC in 2003 as the Manager of Safety for Providence.

DeAnn enjoyed reading, quilting, sewing, the outdoors and traveling extensively to many corners the world. She was active in the Episcopal Church, serving as the Senior Warden at St. Aiden's and St. Luke's in Gresham, Oregon.

After retirement, she continued to stay busy. She volunteered in the paleontology laboratory at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. DeAnn also served as an interpreter at the Chaco Culture national Historical Park in New Mexico and at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington. Additionally, DeAnn volunteered for the Clark County Emergency Response Agency (CRESA), the Clark County Genealogical Society and the Clark County branch of the American Red Cross.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years Gareth and her two surviving children, Lance Wilson of Estacada, Oregon and Heather Dawson of Portland, Oregon. Her youngest son Sean Wilson preceded her in 2002.

DeAnn requested no funeral services be held. The family wishes to thank all of those who loved and cared for her throughout her life.