Obituary of Lenora V. Wilson

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Lenora Venzenda Wilson, 77 years old, from Warwick NY. Lenora affectionately known as Nora, passed away on April 12, 2019, with her family by her side.

Lenora was born to Roslyn and John Preston Simmons, on July 3, 1941, in New York, NY. She had two brothers John and George and always bragged about the love and bond that she shared with their grandmother, Georgiana, who raised her.

Nora was a gifted painter and dancer, and in her free time, both grandmother and granddaughter loved listening to music. It was Georgiana and Nora’s love for music that led Nora to go to a formal ballroom dance in Manhattan where she would meet her beloved husband, Donald Wilson.

Nora’s love story to her children was “your dad was singing with his orchestra and all the women wanted him. Your father saw me dancing with my friend Chico and he came off that stage, to the dance floor, to whisk me away from Chico.”

Donald’s love story was “your mother saw me on stage, famous and handsome and she wanted to dance with me; and, this is big. Although I was much older than your mother, I got the blessing to dance with her from your mother’s chaperone, Josephine. Your mother knew what she was doing dancing that night; and, when I met Nora’s grandmother, I received approval from Georgiana, she loved me, and the rest was history."

Donald and Lenora married and enjoyed their life in Long Island, Manhattan and Queens, NY. Nora dedicated her life to her husband and her six children: Donald, Dennis, Roslyn, Gerard, Theresa and Estelle.

Dad was an accomplished musician and singer who performed, entertained, and worked all the time. While mom believed that her place was at home. She held this huge fort to cook, clean, wash clothes and provide guidance to their children. Mom was also the Project Queen, from painting the house, to drawing murals on the walls and mixing concrete so she could build an extension on the house. If an electrical outlet, the boiler or anything needed fixing in the house - mom took care of it.

Mom was always home and there were all sorts of lessons, movies, friends and family to keep the children occupied. Let’s not forget about Religious Instruction. There was private and public schooling and as a devoted Catholic she took her children to Religious Instruction and church once a week. She read the bible and watched religious programs at least twice a day; and you better not disturb her while she was having her conversations with God.

Mom loved animals as much as people, both dogs and cats and she attributed it to growing up on a farm. After the passing of her husband, she later moved to Warwick, NY and she wanted a horse farm. Luckily, she settled for a beautiful home and Harlequins that were as big as a horse.

Mom took pride as the matriarch and homemaker. Her successes were countless as she maintained the lives of eight people, putting her family first. Her children were nurtured in a private home, with exquisite furniture, food on the table, clothes on their backs, with as many private and public school lessons as possible. All strategized and facilitated by mom.

Managing so many children is enormous. Therefore, mom had no qualms, to tell you, precisely what she thought, with no edit button. Dad supported his wife and family and was the debonair, charismatic husband who did what mom needed, as mom kept everything in its place. Mom loved painting, interior design, gardening, decorating and working in the home with her hands.

Mom cherished children and would babysit as much as she possibly could. As the Wilson family tree extended in every direction with seventeen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, two son in-laws, two daughter in-laws; along with many friends, family and extended family members. Mom would meet our Lord God at the age of 77, on Friday, April 12, 2019, right before Holy Week. Mom, you will be truly missed by all; and are in our hearts forever. Mom, this is not good-bye; it’s until we see you again.

We Appreciate Your Attendance At This Private Service For Our Mother, Lenora Venzenda Wilson On Her Day Of Celebration.