Obituary of Delia A Wilson

Delia A Wilson passed away on January 29, 2024. She was 81 years old.

Born on January 4, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY to parents Edmund and Anne-Marie (Sheeren), Delia attended and graduated from Dominican Commercial High School. She lived in Queens Village, NY before moving to Randolph., NJ with her husband 31 years ago. She was a woman of immense faith and a devout Catholic. She was a parishioner and volunteered much of her time with Bethany Ministry at St. Joseph Church in Mendham.

Delia served as head of security for Merrill Lynch for a time but spent many years as an Administrative Assistant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where she met the love of her life, Howard Wilson. Delia was known for her baking, especially her cookies and Irish cornbread. She loved to sing. Delia took great pride in keeping an immaculate home, she enjoyed cross-stitching and was known for making personal gifts for family members, especially her “little monkeys”. She enjoyed taking long walks along the boardwalk at the shore with her husband. She was an amazing mother to Anne Marie and mother-in-law to Burgess. She and Anne Marie had a unique bond that even death could not sever.

Delia was a wonderful storyteller. She regaled friends and family alike with stories of her family, particularly of her impish brothers.

Delia is predeceased by her best friend of 48 years and husband of 30 years, Howard Wilson, her beloved daughter Anne-Marie Van Dunk, and her brothers, Edmund, Michael, Patrick, and James Dwyer. She is survived by her son-in-law Herman Burgess Van Dunk IV, many step-children, step-grandchildren, a great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed. 

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11am at St. Joseph Church, West Main Street Mendham, NJ. Inurnment will immediately follow at Hilltop Cemetery, where Delia will rest peacefully with her beloved husband and daughter. In lieu of flowers, donations in Delia’s memory may be made at Holly Manor 84 Cold Hill Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 or St. Joseph Church 8 W Main Street. Mendham, NJ 07945.

The memorial mass will also be live streamed.  Please click here to attend mass virtually.