Barbara Anne Wild

Barbara Wild, 96, died peacefully at home with her family on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Durham, NC. Born December 8, 1926, she was the youngest child of Susan and Richard Ryan of Stamford, CT.

The center of Barbara’s life was her family, Catholic faith, and friends. Her greatest joy was being a Mom, Nana, and Great Nana to her five children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. After marrying U.S. Army Capt. Edward Woodrow Wild (Woodie) in 1946, she embraced military life being stationed in Italy, Germany, Japan, and throughout the United States. In 1969 her husband retired as a full colonel from Ft. Monroe, VA. After Woodie’s civilian career in Oxnard, CA, they returned to Hampton, VA, in 1984 where Barbara was a parishioner of St. Mary Star of the Sea for 35 years.

Barbara expressed her creativity and love through her sewing, knitting, and craft projects. Her active volunteer work included Girl Scouts and HELP Food Pantry. She was a doer and giver who always welcomed one more to the table.

For over 30 years Barbara shared her love for the beach with her family by providing a beach vacation in Nags Head, NC, where much laughter, puzzles, and cherished memories were made. This year’s beach gathering will be a celebration of Barbara’s life and legacy.

Barbara is survived by her children: Susan Newman (Robert), Irene Robinson (John), Mary Casey (Jim), Edward W. Wild Jr. (Nancy), Patricia Wild (Michael James); her grandchildren: John Robinson Jr. (Jennifer), Mark Robinson (Stacey Long), Ryan Casey, Leah Gibbs (Chad), Woody Newman (Anna), Dr. Edward W. Wild III (Jia), Sheila Galgano (Vincent), Allison Finerfrock (Kyle), William Wild (Ashley), Amanda Wild, Julianna Wild (Enrique Guzman), Clare James, Anna James; and her great-grandchildren: John Robinson III, Zachary Robinson, Casey Gibbs, Alissa Gibbs, Ian Newman, Amelia Finerfrock, Silas Newman, Jesse Wild, Lilly Finerfrock, Edward Wild IV, Zoe Wild, Ronan Galgano, Maeve Galgano.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years: Woodie; her siblings: Robert Ryan, Richard Ryan, Marie Sturken, Laurence Ryan; and son-in-law, John Robinson Sr.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on June 23, 2023 at 4 p.m. St. Matthew Catholic Community, Durham, NC. Barbara will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Ft. Monroe, VA or pbs.org.

The Wild family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com - select obituaries.