Wilda Rhea Wyse

Wilda Rhea Wyse

1937- 2026 

She loved us with all her heart

Our beloved Wilda Rhea (Mickey) Wyse was born in Waco, Texas, in April of 1937, and passed away peacefully in Waverly, NY, in January of 2026, at the age of 88. She was a devoted mother and grandmother; a kind and supportive friend; a community builder; an outspoken advocate for peace, equality, social justice, and respect for all people; an avid outdoorswoman and advocate for the well-being of the planet; a generous volunteer; a highly skilled musician; a talented artist; a superb sewer; and a dedicated school psychologist. She poured herself fully into everything she did, had the most positive attitude of anyone you ever met, and set a beautiful, inspirational example for how to be a great human being.

To elaborate on and do justice to each of the above hats she wore so very well would take pages and pages. A few highlights:

She began developing her musical talents on the piano as a young child. In high school and college, she played orchestral instruments and sang in choirs. She continued her musical journey as a pianist and singer throughout her life, and also took up the Celtic harp relatively late in life, becoming proficient on that instrument as well. While she did some concertizing, her music was mostly a labor of love that she offered freely to the community.

She was a longtime dedicated member of the Unitarian Universalist Society East in Manchester, Connecticut, and a pillar of that community. In addition to singing in the choir and providing music and musical support in various ways, she played other key roles in the congregation through fundraising efforts, serving on committees, and more. She was also active in women’s groups and mentoring young people. She truly lived the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.

She was extremely generous with both her time and her money, making valuable contributions to many organizations and efforts to make the world a better, kinder place. Among her many volunteer activities, she regularly spent hours in the neonatal intensive care unit at a local hospital, cuddling premature babies.

She had a great love of the great outdoors. Growing up with her as Mom meant spending lots of time camping, hiking, biking, swimming, and cross-country skiing. Going out to get exercise and fresh air and take in the magnificent beauty of nature was pretty much what we did together as a family. This nurtured in each of us a deep and enduring relationship with, and caring for, our one small and beautiful planet. We can feel her presence with us now each time we step outside and breathe in that beauty again.

Though she had a long and fulfilling career as a school psychologist and was active and involved in so many worthy pursuits, when asked what was most meaningful to her in her life, she responded without hesitation that it was being a mother to her three sons. Through this role, she had the opportunity to most fully devote herself to the one thing that meant the most to her and brought her the most joy: giving love.

No matter who you were, when you looked in the mirror she held up for you, you always saw the best of yourself.

Wilda was sadly predeceased by her second son, Mickey, in 2018. She is lovingly remembered by her eldest son, Lonce, his wife, Ruslana, and their daughters, Klara and Maya; Mickey’s widow, Cathleen, Mickey and Cathleen’s sons, Jake and Josh, Jake’s wife, Julie, and Jake and Julie’s children (Wilda’s only great grandchildren so far), Madeline and Calvin; and her youngest son, Todd, his wife, Suzy, and their daughters, Ila and Tezia. She is also lovingly remembered by her nephew, Mark; her niece Stephanie; her ex-husband, Arnie, and his wife, Myrna; Lonce and Todd’s stepsisters, Julie and Gayle, and their families; many extended family members; many surviving friends and members of her community, especially the kindhearted souls of her Unitarian community in Manchester; and many former students and colleagues in the Manchester school system.

Wilda’s body has been buried at Greensprings Natural Cemetery in Newfield, NY. If you feel so moved, we suggest you honor her life by making a donation to or volunteering for an organization of your choice, with Wilda’s values in mind: generosity, equality, social justice, peace, respect for all people, and care for the planet.