Pauline L. Wilbur

Waltham - Mrs. Pauline L. “Penny” (Cormier) Wilbur of Waltham and Fort Myers Beach, Fla., died peacefully at home May 7, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. She was 82.

Penny was born June 12, 1928 in Waltham. An avid birder and longtime volunteer at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel Island, Fla. She loved dancing and was an active member of many local senior centers. A firm believer in lifelong learning and adventure, Penny earned a bachelors degree from Northeastern University in her 50’s and enjoyed taking classes from the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and Elderhostel.

Beloved mother of Paul H. Wilbur and his wife, Anita Suarez, of Waltham, Julianne M. Wilbur of Kingfield, Maine, and the late Stephen A. Wilbur, dear sister of Irma Vincello of Manchester, N.H., and the late Victor Cormier, devoted grandmother of Lance Wilbur and his wife, Evita, Malcolm Wilbur and his wife, Lilly, and Rosalie Wilbur. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Penny’s life by gathering for a memorial service on Monday, May 17 at 3 p.m. in the Bigelow Chapel of Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, donations in Penny’s name may be made to “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, P.O. Box 565, Sanibel Island, FL 33957.