Carolyn Jean Wilson's Obituary
Carolyn Jean (Klein) Wilson
Carolyn J. Klein, 93, of Bradenton, FL, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. She was the daughter of Ralph William and Florence Marie (Thelen) Klein of Lafayette, IN and was the youngest of three children. Born in Lafayette, IN on Dec. 20, 1930, she was a graduate of St. Francis High School and attended Purdue University. She married Richard Gerald Wilson on June 23, 1951 and they raised 4 children, twins Donna and Denice, and younger brothers Richard II and Scott. Following Richard’s being hired by IBM, they moved from the Midwest to Poughkeepsie, NY.
In her leisure time Carolyn enjoyed Contract Bridge and became a Life Master. She was involved in Dutchess County, NY politics, first as a Campaign Manager and then as a County Legislator, serving for three terms. After Richard retired, they moved to Jupiter, FL where their children and grandchildren enjoyed many warm vacations. They moved to Bradenton, FL in 2012 to be closer to their family. Her beloved husband of 64 years predeceased her on Aug. 29, 2015 in their Bradenton home. Both were lucky enough to be cared for in their home until their deaths and to be with family.
Carolyn was also predeceased by two older brothers: Ralph William ‘Bill’ Klein and Robert Frances ‘Bob’ Klein and by her daughter-in-law Shirley Wilson but is survived by all of her children: Donna (Joseph) Campbell of Bradenton; Denice Rogers (John LeClaire) of Bradenton; Scott Wilson of Bradenton; Richard Wilson (Marilyn Bontempo) of Holmes, NY, her grandchildren: Kristin (Sean) O’Brien of Bradenton; Valerie (Ronald) Jakubovic of Conshohocken, PA; Elizabeth (Alexander) Reynolds of Irvington, NY; Craig Wilson of Bradenton; Christopher (Brittany) Wilson of Valley Springs, CA and her great-grandchildren: Alice and Violet O’Brien of Bradenton and Cameron and Felix Reynolds of Irvington, NY.
Carolyn will be cremated and buried in Sarasota National Cemetery with her husband in a private service at the convenience of the family at a date to be determined.
Burial arrangements are under the direction Skyway Memorial Funeral Home, Palmetto, Florida.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice or a charity of your choice. If you wish to send an online condolence it can posted on the Skyway Memorial website.
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