KATHLEEN JOYCE WILSON
December 21, 2021
Kathleen Joyce Wilson, age 78, a resident of Wilkinsburg, PA, entered eternal life on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, in the company of family and friends in Pittsburgh, PA.
Ms Wilson was born on July 7, 1943, on Bedford Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Walter C. Wilson, Esq., and Marie Z. Wilson. Kathleen graduated from Schenley High School and later the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Psychology. Ms Wilson retired from the State of Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
A lover of baking and culinary arts, Ms Wilson served food at Wallace Ave. Soup Kitchen for a long time. She also taught her acquired skills at Community College of Allegheny County. A kindhearted but courageous defender of the voiceless and downtrodden, Ms Wilson’s loss will reverberate through the communities she loved, served, and fought for.
Kathleen had a tremendous love for baking, sharing not only her sweets with people but also her “time.” She was always on the frontline to right a wrong, no matter who the culprit was or where the wrong had taken place. Kathleen was not judgmental and let a person find their own way in life, never trying to influence them one way or another. She was a guiding light for people who needed clarity in their lives or had lost their way in the dark.
Ms Wilson selflessly gave her time and energy in the service of women and men, too. She was a member of the group who forced the Little League to admit girls to play baseball alongside boys, and vehemently defended those she regarded as underdogs. Ms Wilson’s generosity and loving spirit will be greatly missed by both family and friends.
Ms Wilson was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), where she served in various leadership positions in the State of Pennsylvania and nationally, receiving numerous honors and awards for her tireless fight to defend human and women’s rights. Kathleen was also the founder of the East End Chapter of NOW.
Ms Wilson is survived by two sons, Terrence (Terry) Walter Wilson-Walls (Corinne Bauder), Brian Emery Wilson-Walls, stepson, Shawn Walls, older brother, Walter L. Wilson (Lois M.), only surviving aunt, Elizabeth Wilcox-Rice, nephew, Walter G. Thompson, niece, Hilary Ann Wilson, grandson, Jordan Elijah Wilson-Walls, step niece, Whitney Houser, cousins, and friends.
Viewing of Ms. Wilson’s remains is scheduled for January 4, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The House of Law Funeral Home, located at 9406 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Phone: (412) 241-4943.
On January 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Gavin B.J. Walton will conduct funeral services for Ms Wilson at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, located at 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Phone: (412) 681-0229. Burial to follow at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery.
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