Wanda Lee Gilmour was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the age of 97.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 22, 1927, to Henry and Reva White, Wanda was the second oldest, and only girl, of seven children. She graduated from Flint Tech High School in June 1945 and one month later, married Andrew "Andy" B. Gilmour on July 26. In later years, when asked about her wedding, Wanda said, "it was a rainy day, but a sunny life."

As a wife and mother of four, Wanda was known for her cooking and entertaining. Each year, for her children's birthdays, she baked cupcakes for them to bring to school.  Later, she upgraded those birthday treats to her famous, six-layer Hungarian torte, which her sons still requested well into adulthood. Wanda enjoyed hosting friends and family in her home, and believed every occasion was worthy of pulling out her china and crystal. She was a spirited and fun woman, who loved a good party. At one dinner party, when Wanda was in her forties, a guest challenged her ability to do a headstand, so Wanda stood up from her table and proved him wrong, right there in the dining room!

Always the competitor, Wanda enjoyed and excelled at sports and games. When Andy's interest in golf grew and he joined more golf clubs, Wanda picked up the game, too. She became a talented and competitive golfer, even notching a few hole-in-ones over the years.

Later in life, Wanda didn't let her role as loving Grandmother deter her from her competitive spirit. She taught many of her grandchildren a variety of games over the years, from simple children's games like Pickup Sticks to card games like Spite and Malice or Gin Rummy. But Wanda never gave up a victory that wasn't hard-fought and sincerely earned by her opponent (no matter the age of said opponent).

Wanda had an adventurous spirit and, thanks to Andy's professional success, was able to travel the world. With her only daughter, Andrea, as her travel companion (Andy hated to travel), Wanda adventured to more than a dozen countries throughout Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Wanda was also a talented artist. She was an exceptional sewer and also made beautiful quilts and quillows (a quilt and a pillow) for her grandchildren. Around 60, when diabetes took her vision and thus her ability to drive - a time when us mere mortals would wallow in thoughts of what was lost - Wanda decided to pick up painting. She was talented by any measure, but observers of her work became even more astonished when they learned all that was accomplished with such little sight.

Wanda's creative talents and competitive nature came to a head much later in life, after she moved to Sandhill Cove after the passing of Andy in May 2005. The community held a door decorating contest for the holidays. Wanda and her youngest granddaughter, Taylor, earned a landslide victory - and Wanda, quite the reputation as a community newcomer - when they turned her front door into a fireplace and three dimensional mantle, on which Wanda's family pictures and holiday cards hung. Immediately, her new neighbors recognized Wanda as the clever, talented, and spirited woman she was.

Wanda enjoyed nearly 20 years of fun at Sandhill Cove. While her golfing days were long behind her, she took up croquet and pool, and still played cards as long as her eyesight permitted. Wanda volunteered on several community committees, including serving as Chair of the Welcome Committee. She was social, and was often the warm and friendly companion new residents dined with. Wanda was also a dedicated member of Palm City Presbyterian Church.

Wanda lived a wonderful and beautiful life. She was warm, social, clever, artistic, competitive, adventurous, loving, funny, and also, very stubborn. She was well loved and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her two brothers: Larry White and Bob White (Donna); four children: Bob Gilmour (Judy), Doug Gilmour (Pam), Bill Gilmour (Mary), and Andrea Bradley; seven grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.

A special service and celebration of life will be held in early April.

Please feel free to share a remembrance or message of condolence with the family through this online guestbook.