Wilda Warren Richardson – June 3, 1934 – August 7, 2023
Wilda was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Leonard and Rebecca Warren. She treasured her Delaware County upbringing in Holmes, Pennsylvania with her siblings: Donny, Lenny and Nancy. Summers were spent at her grandparents’ home in Avalon enjoying time with her family, playing on the beach, and splashing in the ocean. At Ridley Township High School, Wilda earned a varsity letter as a member of the field hockey team and made lifelong friends with a group of girls she referred to as her sorority. The Ridley Raiders Marching Band also gained a fine clarinet player in Wilda. The band was invited to join a parade honoring the return of our national war hero, General Douglass MacArthur. Over seven million people turned out to watch the spectacle. His 19-mile Ticker Tape Parade through New York City’s Canyon of Heroes with ribbons and ribbons of stock market ticker tapes floating down from the skyscrapers left a lasting impression and became a cherished story that Wilda loved sharing throughout her life.
After graduating high school in 1953, Wilda embarked on a lifelong career in medicine. She began as an x-ray technician at Taylor and Lankenau Hospitals outside of Philadelphia.
Down the shore in the summer of 1958, Wilda met a young man, Avalon local Jack Richardson, who charmed her with his quick wit and fleet-footed dance moves. Jack was equally beguiled by Wilda’s ethereal beauty and kind heart. Jack and Wilda were soon wed, choosing to start their family in Avalon where her legacy of service commenced.
Throughout her life, she volunteered her time and enthusiasm to nearly every local event and charitable cause. Whatever the occasion, Wilda could be counted on to lend a helping hand. Benefactors of her endless energy included: The American Red Cross as a swimming instructor, The Lions Club, The Helen Diller Vacation Home for the Blind, Avalon’s Parent-Teacher Association, Avalon Civic Club, Avalon Garden Club, Avalon Fire Department Auxiliary, Avalon Historical Society, and the Cub Scouts as a Den Mother. When her boys graduated to Boy Scouts, her husband Jack became the Scoutmaster of Avalon’s Boy Scout Troop 270, so naturally Wilda became Troop Mom to nearly every boy in town.
After moving to Avalon, Wilda continued working as an x-ray technician at Mercy Hospital in Sea Isle City. Subsequently, she became the office nurse for Avalon’s new family doctor, Dr. Rodolfo Garcia. Wilda developed bonds that would last a lifetime with virtually every patient in Avalon who came through the door. She worked with Dr. Garcia and his wife Pat for over 30 years, growing remarkably close to the entire Garcia family. Through Dr. Garcia, she began a lifelong association with Cape Regional Health System. For many years, Wilda was a member of the MASH branch of the Auxiliary where she held numerous leadership positions: The Sunshine Committee, The Antique Show Committee, and The Executive and Nominating Committee, to name a few. She was the driving force for the Cape Regional 7-Mile Island Home and Health Show. She volunteered countless hours behind the scenes to ensure the success of many events and fundraisers. Wilda had many dear friends at the Auxiliary and at the Et Cetera Shop, the hospital thrift store in the Acme Shopping Center. Wilda served as a board member on the Cape Regional Foundation Board since it’s inception in 2000. For her efforts, Wilda was awarded the Cape Regional Medical Center’s first ever Lifetime Achievement Award created in her honor commemorating over 50 years of countless hours of dedication and philanthropy.
During the warm summer nights of the 60’s and 70’s, Wilda helped run the Avalon Theatre on the boardwalk. Rotating between running the ticket booth and providing snacks at the concession stand; movie goers were greeted with Wilda’s welcoming smile and were treated as friends. Once the movie theater permanently closed, Wilda sought new activities to fill her spare time. She became an avid supporter of nearly every local sport team on which her children participated including: the cheerleading squads, the Avalon-Stone Harbor Fire Lions football team, the Avalon Gems Little League Baseball, Softball and Basketball teams, and all of the Middle Township High School teams. Every fundraiser or booster event benefited from Wilda’s enthusiasm and desire to participate in all her children’s activities. She enjoyed following all different types of sports, but it was Track and Field that really won her heart. She became certified by the USATF and served over 25 years as a high school track official. Wilda ran each of the field events with authority and patience, earning the trust and respect of the entire track and field community.
It can easily be stated that there was no bigger champion of The Seven Mile Beach than Wilda Richardson. Through all her numerous functions, she got to know and love nearly everyone she met on the island. She delighted in each and every local boy or girl who got their achievements printed in The Herald, The Gazette or The Atlantic City Press. However, none of her volunteer activities dissuaded her from her primary goal of doing her very best to keep her own family on track and thriving. From the start, Wilda was the dynamo behind her husband’s growing handyman business. She worked diligently on billing and banking while scrimping and saving to make sure the ends would meet. These efforts led to Jack creating a new business niche for his family, Richardson’s Screen Repair, with Wilda right by his side as chief administrator and bookkeeper. There, at their shop on 39th Street, Wilda’s reputation as Avalon’s goodwill ambassador was solidified. The constant flow of customers gave her plenty of opportunity to bond with them over their mutual love of The Seven Mile Beach and quite often of their common Delco roots.
In addition to all of this, Wilda still somehow had time to do whatever was needed for her beloved Avalon Methodist Church. Jack and Wilda bought their house on 34th Street in 1959, shortly after, the Methodist church announced that they were moving in right next door. How convenient! Wilda quickly jumped in as chief organizer for all church events. She helped through countless Roast Beef Dinners, Peach Festivals, Christmas Bazaars, Cover Dish Dinners, Chicken BBQs, and Vacation Bible Schools. Anyone who saw her epic church rummage sales stood in awe of their size and the amount of work that went into that fundraising effort that benefited her treasured church family. She lent her skills as the church coordinator for all weddings and funerals as well as being the lead decorator for all the seasons from Easter through Christmas, bringing widespread admiration for her beautiful touches at her church.
After their ‘not quite’ retirement, Wilda and Jack found enjoyment during the winter months at Royal Palm Park in Big Pine Key, Florida. Wilda’s parents, Len and Becky, had the foresight to help establish that community by becoming founding members. Jack and Wilda’s love of service and group activities made them very welcome additions to a place lovingly compared to a Summer Camp for Adults. For over 20 winters, there amongst the key deer, hibiscus, and palm trees, they shared so much joy and laughter while cementing loyal and loving friendships with people from all over the country. Much like Avalon, Big Pine Key grieves the loss of a most cherished friend.
Through it all, Wilda was a supremely kind-hearted mother to her children and a loving wife to Jack. As a mom, she was second to none. Her personal interest and involvement in the lives of her children was evident to all. She taught them the eternal values being kind and of doing your best while loving and helping your family, friends and neighbors. Her greatest love, however, was reserved for her grandchildren Lauren and Johnny. Grandmom’s house was never more then a few steps away. She was a daily fixture in their lives; helping them get ready for school, making snacks after school and attending all of their activities. How she loved watching them grow! Wilda’s acts of love and kindness to all animals, along with her enjoyment of beautiful flowers is forever ingrained in her grandchildren. As they carve out their own paths in life, they will carry forward the warm memory of the deep, unbridled love of their Grandmom.
Wilda is predeceased by her parents Len and Becky Warren, her brother Donny, her sister Nancy and her husband Jack. Wilda is survived by her children John (Judi), Don (Lorraine) and Elizabeth; her grandchildren Lauren and Johnny; and her dear brother Len Warren.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at The First United Methodist Church of Avalon, 3344 Dune Dr, Avalon, on Saturday August 26, 2023. Visitation will be from 2pm – 4pm. Service will begin at 4pm. There will be a reception at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to The First United Methodist Church of Avalon. Condolences at www.radzieta.com
