One of four children born to Alex and Susan Luyber, Wilma was raised in the company town of Roebling, N.J., during its industrial heyday. She played in the backyards and alleys, swam in the river, worked in her father’s movie theater, and starred in high school plays. Wilma had fond memories of office life as a secretary for the John A. Roebling Company in their Trenton, N.J., headquarters. She loved the camaraderie of her office mates and the beautiful 1950’s clothing – full skirts, suits, and matching shoes and handbags. When she met Bill Worthington, newly discharged from the Navy, she fell head over heels and they were happily married for 58 years until his death in 2014.
Wilma retained a lifelong fondness for Levittown, Pennsylvania, where she and Bill raised their three girls. Even during her recent hospitalization, she could name all of the neighbors, their children and often even their grandchildren. Her ability to find a “Levittown Connection” in casual conversation was almost uncanny. Life came full-circle when Wilma moved to Heartis of Yardley Assisted Living where she met other residents who also raised their families in Levittown.
Wilma was proud of the house in the woods in New Hope, Pa., that she and Bill designed and built during their empty nesting years. Their retirement move to the Village of Buckingham Springs in Buckingham, Pa., brought them a surge of activities and many new friendships. Wilma’s friendships, old and new, were cemented by her genuineness and thoughtfulness.
Wilma was the last of her generation. She was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 58 years, all her Luyber siblings – Elaine (Richard) Marinelli, Louis (Alfred) Green, and Alan Luyber. As well as Bill Worthington’s siblings Barbara (Robert) Lang, Peg (Albert) Becker, and Anne (Richard) Moore. She is survived by her three daughters, Karen (Martin Rapp), Sandra (Bill) Turpin, and Patrica (Frank) Cosner, and son-in-law Samuel B. Johnson, as well as four grandchildren Sam (Rachael) Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Katherine (Tyler) Mertens, MaryClare (Tyler) Hendricks and great-grandchildren Kendall, Arya Jo, and Liam Hendricks. She is also survived by several Luyber cousins. Wilma will be missed by many friends at Heartis of Yardley Assisted Living.
Wilma had a great capacity for love and empathy. In lieu of flowers for donations, please consider gestures of kindness to others in remembrance.
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