Sally Wilson's Obituary
Sally Wilson, age 96, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026, at her home in Blanchard, Michigan, with her children by her side.
Sally Wiedemann Tovar was born on November 20, 1929, in Mexico City, Mexico, the daughter of Alfredo Wiedemann Sanchez and Elena Tovar Gonzalez. She spent her early years in Sultepec before returning to Mexico City as a teenager.
While working as a nurse in Mexico, Sally earned a scholarship to study at Boston College in the United States. She and a friend were first sent to Washington, D.C., for three months to learn English. It was there that she met her future husband James L Wilson. The couple was united in marriage on August 12, 1957.
Determined and resilient, in her 50s she returned to college in the United States to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification, since her nursing license wasn’t recognized in the United States. She dedicated many years to caring for others until her retirement following the closure of Edmore Hospital.
Sally found joy in life’s simple and creative pleasures. She loved knitting and sewing, often making beautiful sweaters and dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She also enjoyed quilting, cross-stitching, trying new foods, games, puzzles, walks outdoors, camping, cooking, studying languages, watching movies, and attending the movie theater. A glass of wine with supper and a bit of cheese brought her daily happiness. Her favorite saying, “This too shall pass,” reflected her strength and perspective throughout life. And her healing song, “Sana, sana, colita de rana, si no sanas hoy, sanarás mañana,” brought a little bit of her magic and wonder to her injured children and grandchildren.
Sally loved to travel. After her marriage, she and her family lived in France for three years while her husband was stationed there. After returning to the United States, Sally regularly traveled to Mexico to visit loved ones. In her late 80s, she even visited her grandson in China.
Sally passed on her talents, traditions, and love to her children and grandchildren. She is lovingly survived by her children: Daniel (Dawn) Wilson, Lincoln Wilson, Paul Wilson, Rebecca “Becky” (Chris) Bowers, and Anna (Duane) Bean; her brother Salvador “Chava” (Rebeca) Wiedemann; her sister Miriam (Manuel) Solis; her grandchildren: Danna (Joel) Bauer, James Wilson, Shaine Wilson, Andrea Bowers, Sasha Bowers, Olivia Bowers, Bronson Bowers, Duane “Dee” Bean III, Anthony Bean, Truman Bean, and Anique Bean; and her great-grandchildren: Olive, Ivy, Maci, Marshall, and Annaleigha.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, James L Wilson; her daughter-in-law Paula Wicklund Wilson; and her six brothers, Jaime, Alfredo, Ernesto, Rogelio, Sergio, and Carlos “Nani.”
A memorial service will be held on May 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Den in Blanchard, with Pastor Patti Hicks officiating.
Sally will be remembered for her strength, creativity, love of family, and the quiet wisdom she carried throughout her life.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Janowicz Family Funeral Home in Remus, Michigan.
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