(Mary) Hope Huffman Wilder

(Mary) Hope Huffman Wilder, 96, of Medina, died peacefully on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at her apartment in the Western Reserve Masonic Community. She was born March 6, 1926, to Arthur and Cleo (Hanchett) Huffman in the house Art built at 232 East Union Street. When her mother died in 1930, Art married Ozella Frank (Sally), who lovingly raised the children as her own. Art built a bigger house next door, at 226 East Union; Hope always remembered the big draft horses rearing up out of the basement they were digging and handing bricks to her father as he built the chimney. Medina generations after that recall either taking piano lessons from Ozella in that house or hearing the music as they walked by. Hope learned piano and organ, accompanying school groups and later serving as a church organist. In high school, Hope won the music award and was active in government, athletics, journalism, and nursing activities. She met the love of her life, Don Wilder, at a Friday night band concert on the Medina square in 1944; they were married June 12, 1947, in the First Congregational Church (now the UCC on the square). Her father and her husband built their first house at 748 North Court, which is still standing across the street from Waite's Funeral Home. She was a woman of deep faith and a lifelong member of the UCC, joining the Wedding Band (young couples' group that created lasting friendships) and Women's Fellowship, teaching Sunday School, and taking in numerous foreign exchange students sponsored by the church. She wrote assurances to the mother of the first such student; the mom became a lifelong penpal and Hope eventually was able to visit her in England. She remained in touch with two students, from Finland and Iran, for the rest of her life. She was always a welcoming gracious hostess. She joined the League of Women Voters and was interested in social justice and philanthropy, but raising three boys took most of her time, especially the challenges of her youngest. Before Paul died of muscular dystrophy in 1972, she had lovingly transported him to watch innumerable sporting events. Later, she enjoyed traveling with Don, especially to Hilton Head Island, western dude ranches, and steamboatin' on the Delta Queen. She never tired of reading Louis L'Amour. She channeled her grandmother Tibbitts' drive to keep up and in touch with family, learning new technology and emailing/texting/FaceTiming with family and friends to the end of her life. She was a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend; all of us who loved her will miss her greatly. She is survived by her son, Robert (Christine Chandler) of Medina and son-in-law, Steve Zetts (previous husband of son John Wilder, now married to Jeff Holland) of Durham, North Carolina; granddaughters, Erica (Miguel) Panetta of El Paso, Texas, Heidi (Kevin) Knoll of Asheville, North Carolina, and Molly (Logan Dwyer and Amelia Sizemore) of Washington, DC; great-grandchildren, Clara and Leanor Panetta, Everett and Alice Knoll; sister-in-law, Diana (Howard) Hunter of Medina and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; her sisters, Faith and Joy (Howard) Hunter; brother, Brent, and her sons, Paul and John. A celebration of Hope's life will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Medina United Church of Christ, Congregational, 217 E. Liberty Street. This will be preceded by calling hours at the church from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and followed by supper in Fellowship Hall. With the resurgence of COVID, the family requests those attending to wear masks and observe social distancing. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family suggests Medina United Church of Christ, 217 E. Liberty, Medina, OH 44256; Umstead Park United Church of Christ, 8208 Brownleigh Dr., Raleigh, NC 27617; the Wilder Scholarship (Medina City Schools Foundation), P.O. Box 1035, Medina, OH 44258 or OutSupport, Inc., P.O. Box 1728, Medina, OH 44258.