Obituary of Ramona Maria Wilson

Mrs. Ramona Maria Wilson (née Puertas) of Hillsborough, NC, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at the age of 73. She celebrated this Mother’s Day in the company of her immediate family at her daughter’s home in Hillsborough, engaging in the witty banter and laughter that have always been a hallmark of their gatherings.

Ramona was born to parents Antony and Louise Puertas on July 18, 1944, in Brooklyn, NY; and grew up the youngest of seven girls. She attended Hicksville High School in Hicksville, NY and in 1964, she married John Wilson. They had two children. Most of their married life was spent living on Long Island, with the Village of Saint James being their longest residence prior to relocating to NC in 1995.

Ramona worked in the oil industry for 20 years, 15 of which were at Mobil Oil Corporation where she received many awards distinguishing her as leader in every role she held. She began as Cashier; became Manager of one of Mobil’s top ten revenue grossing locations in the United States; and advanced to the position of Auditor overseeing the operations of many retail sites.

Ramona was an avid reader, particularly of history and philosophy. She enjoyed ballroom dancing and performed in several dance showcases. Creative, compassionate, courageous and generous of spirt; she will be best remembered for her quick wit, insightfulness and candor.

Ramona is survived by her husband, John Wilson; her daughter, Laura Wilson; her son, John Wilson Jr.; her grandchildren, Dylan and Cheyenne Wilson; sisters Carmen, Natalie, Marie, and Louise; a large extended family of many in-laws, nephews and nieces; and a beloved miniature poodle, Coco. She is preceded in death by her parents, Antony and Louise; and her sisters Lucille and Dolores.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 19^th, at 2:00p.m. in the Chapel at Walker’s Funeral Home, 204 North Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC. Memorial donations can be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell or The Children’s Cochlear Implant Center at UNC.

Special thanks to the nurses and doctors of the UNC-Memorial Hospital CICU in Chapel Hill; the healthcare team of 4^th Floor Nurses Station A at UNC-Hospitals Hillsborough Campus; the nurses and CNAs of Brookshire Nursing Home in Hillsborough and the extraordinary team of the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell. Your care and support of Ramona and her family during this journey is deeply appreciated.

AFTERGLOW

I’d like the memory of me

To be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow

Of smiles when day is done.

I’d like to leave an echo

Whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times, and laughing times

And bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve

To dry before the sun

Of happy memories I leave

Behind – when day is done.

-Helen Lowrie Marshall