Kathleen Humbert Wilbur - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Kathleen Humbert Wilbur

Born July 6, 1925

Kathleen Humbert Wilbur, age 90, of New Castle, DE, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2015.

Born in Hanover, PA on July 6, 1925, Kathleen was a daughter of the late David Humbert and Hilda (Troxell) Humbert. She was a graduate of both Eichelberger High School and the Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. During WWII, Kathleen proudly served her country as a member of the U.S. Navy Waves. She dedicated her life to caring for others as a registered nurse and worked for both the Veterans Affairs Hospital and later, the Delaware State Hospital.

Active in her community, Kathleen served as a member of the former De LaWar School District, would later serve an 8 year term as president of the Colonial School District and was a charter member of the Colonial Education Foundation. After her tenure with the district, she was bestowed the honor of having the former Wrangle Hill Elementary School renamed the Kathleen H. Wilbur Elementary School to recognize her years of service to the staff and students there. Kathleen was an active participant in numerous community organizations and boards on local, state and national levels, including the DIAA, as a past representative of the National School Board Association, and the National Democratic Committee. She was a longtime member of the New Castle United Methodist Church in New Castle.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Ruth Leister and Naomi Karterman. Kathleen is survived by her husband of 62 years, Harold D. Wilbur; sons, Peter D. Wilbur (Veronica) of Kemblesville, PA and Michael D. Wilbur (Deborah) of Bear, DE; brother, David Humbert, Jr. of Hanover, PA; and 4 grandchildren.

Family and friends may call from 5 pm until 7 pm on Sunday evening, October 11, 2015 and again from 10 am until 11 am Monday morning, October 12, 2015 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will follow at 11 am on Monday morning. Interment will be held privately in Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, DE.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kathleen’s memory may be made to the New Castle United Methodist Church, 510 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720, or to Heartland Hospice, 256 Chapman Rd., Ste. 102, Newark, DE 19702 or to a favorite charity.

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12 Condolences for Kathleen Humbert Wilbur

  • Dear Pete and Ronnie,

    My sincere love and sympathy in the loss of your mother and mother in law. With all that she gave to the community and schools, with her heart and soul, she has a special place in the arms of the Lord.
    My heartfelt condolences to my you both, my wonderful friends!

    Linda Santora

  • Mike,
    So sorry f.or your loss. My prayers are with you and your family

  • Dearest Harold:

    We are so sorry to hear the news about Kathy. She was a lovely person and dear friend. We will miss her so much. She did so much for the children in our district and it was our pleasure to be at the dedication of changing the school name to her’s at Wilbur Elementary. She always gave me good advice on a lot of issues I had. May God Bless you in your time of sorrow.

  • Dear Pete, Ronnie, Mike and Debbie, Harold and grandchildren,

    We are so sorry for your loss. We didn’t know Kathleen well, but through you four learned she was a woman who loved her family with her whole heart. We will be thinking of you all in the next few months..when the holidays seem to make the absence of a loved one a bit more tender.

    Jack and Paula

  • You can be very proud of your mother’s accomplishments while with us, and you can be equally assured of her place in heaven Mike. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

  • My deepest condolences during this time. Ms. Wilbur has laws ya been a refreshing source of openness and honesty to me. Her friendship, guidance and support will always be an appreciated and happy memory into life.

  • What a wonderful lady. I am sorry I never had the opportunity to meet her. I pray for the healing hearts of the family and friends of this wonderful lady who touched so many lives.
    Prayerfully,
    Diane Donnelly

  • What a wonderful life she lived! My deepest condolences to your family.

  • I’m so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort at this difficult time.

  • Dear Wilbur Family

    I met Mrs. Wilbur my first week as a new teacher at DeLaWarr High School in 1970 and she was still an highly effective educational leader as a school board member when I retired from Colonial School District 38 years later. Her dedication to the DeLaWarr and Colonial students was uncompromising. What a wonderful lady; she will be truly missed by the educators of Delaware. My deepest sympathy to your family.

    Bill Carty

  • We are so saddened to hear of Kathy’s passing. What a dear friend and supporter she was of us. There is no one in the community who gave more to the Colonial schools than she did. Naming an elementary school after her was just a small tribute to her dedication to the students, teachers, and administrators in the district. Our heartfelt prayers and sympathies go out to the Wilbur family. We are with you all in spirit mourning her passing. She will be sorely missed.

  • Kathy was one of the most fearless, focused, and hardest working school board members I’d ever met in her advocacy for local districts and children. She was a true icon of passion and example of what it takes to move educational issues to action. Her “retirement from school boarding” left a big enough void, her passing memorializes a time of when local control could build and strengthen a district. She stands as the finest example of school board service–and I don’t know if I’m more shocked to discover she was 90, or we graduated from the same nursing school–Hahnemann. Kathy, you were an example to me–and thank you for the mentor you were to many school boards. I am still shaking my head, you had to be in your 80s, when you stepped down—and still so effective. Thank you for sharing her with us for so long dear Wilbur family. Truly a loss.

    Joanne Christian
    Former Appoquinimink board member
    2001-20012