Geraldine “Gerry” Corba Wilson
June 9, 1932-December 31, 2021. Of Oakmont, died peacefully at home with three generations of family by her side on New Year’s Eve at the age of 89. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Charles “Reg” Wilson, Jr. MD, and is survived by her, three children, Karen Wilson Connor of Pittsburgh, Charles “Reg” Wilson III (Lorna) of Hamilton, NY, and Gary S. Wilson (Sherri) also of Pittsburgh: Seven grandchildren: Katie (Liam) McDevitt, Carey (Patrick) Wilson, MD; Brianna Wilson, Michael (Gretchen) Connor, Michelle (Ben) Hogue, Coleman Wilson, and Shannon Wilson, who predeceased her. Great Grandmother to six: Ross and Drew McDevitt, Hadley and Phoebe Wilson, Mia Hogue and Michaela Connor. Her friend and loving sister-in-law is Jacquie Hill. Special thanks and much love to Gerry’s home caregivers who became part of the family: Cheryl Delo, Tammy DiCaprio, Kim and Kelly Harmon, Kristen Coulter, and Tracey Jones. Also, many thanks to the Heritage Hospice team: Gayle Hazlett, Jesse Vance, Lauren Penrose, Alesha Kendrick and Nicole Catanzaro. Gerry was born and lived in Dormont, PA with parents Ann Steffora Corba and Dr. Joseph S. Corba. Gerry has two younger siblings; Eileen and Joseph Jr “Jay” who survive her. She attended Dormont High School, then the Pennsylvania College for Women (PCW) now Chatham University, where she met her future husband, a Pitt medical student. Reg and Gerry married on Memorial Day in 1955. Her kindergarten teaching career was short-lived as she became pregnant with twins in her first year. Her new career then began as a mother and homemaker. After the twin’s birth, she lived in Long Beach CA as husband Reg became an officer in the U.S. Navy, then returned to Pittsburgh, living in Churchill, to raise their family as Reg pursued his 40+ year medical career at West Penn Hospital. Gerry was active in the fund-raising arm of the hospital, The West Penn Hospital Guild, for over 25 years as well, was a volunteer for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and a member of the Blackridge Garden Club. She was a multiple decade “beginning” tennis player at Longue Vue Club, shepherding many new members into the program but remaining a self-proclaimed “beginner” as the on-court socialization and post-game beer were of more importance to her than advancing to a higher level. Gerry was the “life of the party” wherever she went, whether she was dancing the jitterbug, playing concert quality piano, or telling off-color jokes, Gerry left a lasting impression. At age 79, Gerry and Reg built one of the first homes in the Oakmont riverfront community of Edgewater. Gerry quickly became the unofficial greeter of the new neighborhood. She delivered cold Klondikes to construction workers in the heat of summer and regularly invited passersby into her home to show it off, occasionally getting them stuck in her new elevator, whose operation she had not quite mastered. The Oakmont police knew her well from her elevator “rescue” calls! There will be no visitation and services will be private followed by entombment at Mt. Royal Cemetery Mausoleum. Remembrances may be made to The Shannon Wilson Charitable Fund c/o The Pittsburgh Foundation, Five PPG Place, Suite 250, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)
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