Joan M. Wilde

Joan Marie Wilde passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Auberge Assisted Living in Brookfield, Wisconsin at the age of 94. She was born in 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Joan fondly recalled her early years in Madison living in the Professor Hill area. Her family then moved to West Allis.

She attended freshman year at St. Mary’s Academy in Prairie du Chien and later graduated from Mercy High School. She served as a nun with School Sisters of Saint Francis from 1948-1967. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1959 from Alverno College. Joan taught at several high schools in the area including Kenosha St. Joe’s and Pius High School. She also taught second grade in Illinois. Joan studied for a graduate degree in Education at University of Wisconsin- Madison and completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Cal State University. Upon graduation from Cal State, she started her 20-year career at Catonsville Community College in Catonsville, Maryland in the field of career counseling. She focused on preparing women for successful careers. She retired as Professor Emeritus.

In 2020, she was honored by Alverno College when she was given the Golden Jubilarian Award which is awarded to an alumna celebrating more than 50 years as an Alverno graduate and who had been committed to philanthropy and service throughout her life. Joan generously supported Alverno and established the Joan Marie Wilde Scholarship, helping numerous students realize their dreams of a college education.

Joan was a master quilter and craftswoman. She enjoyed decades of making remembrance teddy bears using clothing items from deceased loved ones for the Vitas Hospice Service. She made numerous quilts for her great nieces and nephews and annual holidays gifts for her extended family. Joan loved saving treasured family memorabilia such as her grandmother’s 1880s wedding dress and sharing family lore.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Wilde and Frances (DeWerth) Wilde and her siblings, Donald, Ellen (Wilde) McGowan and Joseph. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn McDaniel, her sister in laws, Sandra Wilde, and Mary Wilde, eighteen nieces and nephews, three goddaughters, and her friends.

The family expresses their gratitude for the wonderful care Joan received while at The Auberge at Brookfield Assisted Living Community; especially to Nurse Rhonda B. for her guidance and care.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Mary Parish (225 S. Hartwell Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186). Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alverno College designated to the Joan Marie Wilde Scholarship Fund. Checks can be mailed to Alverno College Advancement Office, PO Box 343922, Milwaukee, WI 53234-3922. Or go to Alverno.edu/Give enter amount, select Scholarships, select General Scholarships, in Additional Information box, please write Joan Marie Wilde Scholarship.

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