Marjorie Pauline Heston Wilson Weidler

1920-2013

Marjorie Pauline Heston Wilson Weidler, aged 92 and 11/12, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2013, at The Meadows in Napa.

She was born April 15, 1920, in Napa, to Myron and Minnie Heston. She was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Lawrence Heston, and husbands Wayne Grey Wilson and Julian Weidler. Pauline attended Salvador School and graduated from Napa Union High School in 1938. She was involved in many school activities where she met her first love, Wayne Grey Wilson.

After attending College of the Pacific, she came home to marry Wayne on Nov. 11, 1942. She worked at Parks Victory Memorial Hospital as an X-ray technician. As a couple, they loved dancing, being with friends and trips to the family cabin in Pine Grove, Lake County. Two daughters soon followed.

Family was Pauline’s prime focus. As a family, they enjoyed annual camping trips to various Western locations. Pauline was a gourmet cook on those trips, her specialty being Dinty Moore beef stew. It didn’t taste as good at home! She was homemaker supporting Wayne’s career as a reporter for the Napa Register and later as a banker at Napa Savings and Loan.

 After Wayne’s passing in 1969, she married Julian Weidler on June 12, 1971. As his wife, they hosted many events to support Julian’s job as president of Rough Rider Clothing. Together they supported many local charitable organizations. Devoted to family, their home became the center of many family gatherings. There was nothing like holidays at Grandma and Grandpa’s home. Pauline and Julian enjoyed traveling to many places in the world, and for many years took an annual trip to Hawaii.

Pauline had many interests. She was a lifetime member of AAUW, volunteered for Community Projects and especially enjoyed Fancy Fair. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Pauline also established several scholarships at Napa Valley College.

In 2006, she established the Wayne Grey Wilson Foundation to support charitable and educational endeavors to serve the community and better the world.

Pauline was a lifelong supporter of education in Napa Valley. She enjoyed music and actively supported the Napa High band program. She was her grandchildren’s greatest fan. She was there for soccer, swim meets, basketball games, and volleyball matches. Pauline enjoyed her friends, her garden, her daily swim, golf with Linda, and shopping with Jill; and she loved to play bridge.

Pauline is survived by loving daughters, Jill Rae (Stephen) and Linda Baracco (Alan); grandchildren, Kevin Rae (Heather), Justin Rae, Gregory Rae (Tyrus), Jenny Saling (Shawn) and Emily Baracco; and great-grandchildren, Chloe Laufer-Rae, Avery Laufer-Rae, Coda Rae and Jenner Rae.

She is also survived by her step-daughters, Jackie Nissin (Mat), Leah Suffin (Steve); step-grandchildren, Jeremy Joseph (Kate), Aharona Lubin, Nathan Suffin, and Joshua Suffin. There are also 10 step-great-grandchildren.

As granddaughter Emily said upon her passing: “To the best grandma in the world, who would watch Jenny and me jump into the pool dramatically for hours on end; who would always smell so good; who made the best Swiss steak; who would always be in the kitchen window when we pulled up.”

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Jay and Ann Alajodo for their loving care during the last five years.

Friends are warmly invited to attend a service for Pauline to be held Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m. at Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel, entombment will follow at Tulocay Cemetery. Donations in her memory to Hospice of Napa Valley, 414 South Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94559 have been suggested. Friends may sign the guest book and share memories at TreadwayWigger.com.