Rosalie Smith Wilford

Rosalie Smith Wilford left for heaven May 7th at 104 years old. On a snowy January night in 1922, her mother, Minnie Smith, had to ride a street car in Chicago to the hospital to have her 3rd baby. Rosalie grew up loving adventure, sports (swimming, biking, boating, baseball, golf, tennis), traveling, and making friends everywhere she went.

She met Bob Wilford on a blind date at U of I in Champaign, IL, where she graduated in 1943. They married in March of 1944, just before he went overseas to fight in WWII. Their love affair of 67 years didn’t end with his relocation to heaven in 2011, but lives on in the hearts of all their descendants.

Rosalie lived a life of love and faith in Jesus Christ that drew people to God and to believe in His love. She was very active in her Methodist Church, singing in choir, leading women’s groups, helping to design flags, kneeling cushions, and all artistic projects. Being a very gifted artist, her oil paintings hang in many of her family’s homes.

Bob and Rosalie raised 5 children, encouraging and participating in all their activities – sports, music, acting, graduations, weddings, even births. They were always there. Rosalie taught her children how to cook, sew, knit, love music, and how to love others. Most of all, she taught them to trust in God, be involved in church, and to pray. Her career was making the best love-filled home imaginable, filling it with her beautiful singing every day.

She leaves behind 5 children; Joanne Poore and Lynne Wilford of Pt. Charlotte, FL, Jim Wilford (Sandy) and Tom Wilford (Jan) of Illinois, Sandy Forbes of NE, 15 grandchildren, 29 great grand-children, and 6 great great grandchildren…so far! She also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews. She is adored and respected by everyone who ever met her and she will be missed so much. Knowing her was like touching the love of God!

Her Celebration of Life service will be held at New Life Church, 507 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda at 2:00pm on Sunday, June 14th followed by refreshments. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Life Church, where Rosalie was deeply involved for 53 years, or Tidewell Hospice, 1144 Veronica Street, Pt. Charlotte, FL 33952, where they took excellent care of her in her last weeks of life.