Celebration of Life for Wilma Buchholtz McConnon

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Lauralynn White

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Jul 26, 2023, 7:23:11 AM7/26/23
to Chautauqua Grapevine
Life Celebration Wilma McConnon
Thursday, August 3rd, 5-8pm at
Olive’s Restaurant @ Chautauqua Suites in Mayville, NY.
All friends of Wilma are welcome to come celebrate her life together with the family.


 It is with great sadness that we inform the Chautauqua Community that Mrs. WilmaBuchholtz McConnon passed away March 31, 2023. She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by family and friends. 

I have included the link to her obituary at the end of this extended family tribute.

Wilma Buchholtz McConnon was a strong woman who overcame early adversity to become a successful businesswoman and powerful advocate for the oppressed and downtrodden.

Wilma put her significant influence to work combating disease and discrimination worldwide. She was a part of every venture with her husband, Henry McConnon,  and he trusted her counsel. She worked behind the scenes and played an integral part in their many ventures. 
She admired other strong women and drew inspiration from the lives of Georgia O’Keefe, Edith Piaf, Eleanor Roosevelt, Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn.

Wilma adored the French culture, language and people, taking every opportunity to spend time in France, drink French  wines, watch French movies and discuss French politics. She often took part in French conversation hour at the Chautauqua Women's Club.

Wilma loved to travel and did so extensively. One of her fondest travel memories was the feeling of freedom she found riding horses on the beach with her husband in Costa Rica.

Wilma was devoted to her family and loved spending time together, frequently hosting friends and family around her table.  She wanted everyone to have that same experience.  True to her strong belief  in the value of higher learning, Wilmawas encouraging and made possible continuing educational opportunities for innumerable friends and family members. 

The Community aspect of Chautauqua was important to Wilma. She purchased the Chautauqua Inn in 1991, spreading her vision of Chautauqua Community there until 2021. She also loved to hear the music of the Bell Tower and see the Chautauqua Belle from her condo by the Lake. 

Elimination of Food scarcity for children was one of her pet projects. She was also deeply engaged in American politics and philanthropy. The Carter Center, Democratic Party, Habitat for Humanity, Doctor’s Without Borders, Save the Children, State College Food Bank and all foundations dedicated to the relief of suffering were near to her heart.

Wilma was strong willed, kind hearted and good humored. She will be remembered by friends and family for her keen intellect, wry sense of humor and her just nature.

The world had a friend in Wilma Buchholtz McConnon.

--
Lauralynn White

Lauralynn White

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Aug 3, 2023, 7:26:22 AM8/3/23
to Chautauqua Grapevine
TODAY Life Celebration for Wilma McConnon
The world had a friend in Wilma Buchholt McConnon.
--
Lauralynn White
--
Lauralynn White
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