After 110 years of life on this earth, Angelica Genevieve Mary Harris Wilhelm passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 31st. Angelica was born May 14, 1906 in Haworth, NJ, the first child of Angelica Caroe Harris and Norman Ley Harris. Angelica was a first generation American and proud of her Danish heritage. In 1914 the Harris family moved to San Angelo, TX where her father, an optometrist, owned and operated an optometry shop until his untimely death in 1922. Within a year Angelica lost both her sister Alma Ruth and her father. Her mother moved the young family, now three daughters and a son, to Bronx, NY to be near family.
Angelica worked for a publishing company in New York City until she married Francis A. Wilhelm in 1933. They lived in numerous cities and naval bases in the U.S. before coming to Huntsville, AL in 1963. Her beloved Frank passed away within months of his retirement in 1972. He advised Angelica to travel and enjoy her life which she did, going on vacations in the U.S., Europe and Asia, often with her sisters Helen and Norma Lee.
Angelica had no children but had close family ties with her mother and sisters and enjoyed her nieces and nephews and their families at every opportunity. Angelica is predeceased by her husband Francis A. Wilhelm, her sisters Helen Huntington, Alma Ruth Harris and Norma Lee O’Hara and her brother Norman Ley Harris. She is survived by nieces Megan Porter (Stephen), Valerie O’Hara, and Adrian Sterling (Gregory), nephews James O’Hara (Mary Jo) and Robert Harris, 8 great-nieces and nephews, 7 great-great-nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Angelica made many friends in bridge club, golf, church, and other activities. She was a talented weaver, knitter, seamstress, and gardener. Her spirited and enthusiastic personality endeared her to everyone she met. In later years she left her beloved home and garden to live at Redstone Village where she soon became known and loved by many.
Mrs. Wilhelm has been a longtime, faithful member and benefactor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, her spiritual home.
A Memorial Service and interment will take place on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 3pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12200 Bailey Cove Road SE, Huntsville, AL with Rev. Paul Pradat and Rev. David Stricker officiating. A reception will follow the interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Memorial Fund or Hospice Family Care, 3304 Westmill Drive SW, Huntsville, AL 35805.
