Obituary of Jean N. Wilson

Jean N. (McCamley) Wilson, 86, of Glastonbury, CT passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2023 after a courageous journey with Alzheimer's.

Born in Philipsburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Anna J. (Silensky) McCamley and one of six siblings and three half siblings.  She graduated from Georgetown University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.  While playing the organ in the university chapel, Jean met her husband Donald King Wilson, Jr. and sealed their fate of 59 loving years together, raising nine children.

Jean led a full life devoted to her Catholic Faith, caring for her family and many others. After university, she worked as a registered nurse and then became an amazing homemaker, moving multiple times while her husband served in the US Navy.  As her family grew, she volunteered in her community at every level, always connecting with those in need.   She was active in her church St. Patrick- St. Anthony as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered at the House of Bread soup kitchen in Hartford, CT. She also volunteered in the Glastonbury school music department and at Watkinson School in Hartford, CT coaching soccer.  She loved cooking, gardening, animals, playing the piano, organizing holiday family gatherings and especially looked forward to seeing her great/grandchildren.  She was an avid reader and a staunch supporter of education, making significant contributions to various charitable organizations. In her downtime, she enjoyed watching soccer and basketball, annual trips to Bermuda and spending summers on Echo Lake in East Charleston, VT.  Throughout her life, she was private and stoic, but determined and brave, making an indelible mark on those around her.  Ultimately, she found the greatest joy and peace in her family, helping others and tending to her beautiful gardens.  She will forever be missed by her family and all those who loved her and were touched by her kindness.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald King Wilson, Jr., half sister Margaret Curtis, of Hollidaysbury, PA, sister Mary Ann Catherine of Erie, PA, brother Thomas McCamley, half-brothers James “Bud” McCamley and Harold “Dude” McCamley all of Philipsburg, PA, son Mark Wilson and grandson Christopher Leduc, both of Glastonbury, CT.

She is survived by her brothers John J. McCamley and wife Annick of Hayes, VA, Patrick and Irene McCamley of New Bern, N.C., and sister Elizabeth (Nancy) Lewis and husband Dr. William Lewis of Palm Beach, FL., along with many nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by eight children and their spouses, nineteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren, including daughter Jeanne and husband David Farrell of South Glastonbury, daughter-in-law Mitzi Wilson of Glastonbury, CT, son Jeffrey and wife Paula Wilson of Glastonbury, CT,  son Donald and wife Laurie Wilson of South Glastonbury, CT, daughter Kathleen and husband Mark Galley of Westport, CT, daughter Kristen Wilson of Jamaica, VT, daughter Ann Marie Wilson of Glastonbury, CT, son Peter and wife Maureen Wilson of Auburn, MA,  daughter Elizabeth and husband Matt Cameron of Marlborough, CT, and grandchildren, Sean, Shannon, Derek, Casey, Lyssa, Ashley, Cory, Hannah, Jamie, Tyler, Madison, Brewster, Ryan, Emily, Grace, Colin, Lainey, Jackson and great-grandchildren, Maya, Cameron and Cayden.

In celebration of Jean’s life, a Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 285 Church St., Hartford. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jean Wilson can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.