Mary Clare Seward Wilson

Mary Clare Seward Wilson (89) passed away peacefully in Falls Church, VA surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on January 9, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska. A child of Lance and Helen Bartek Seward, a pharmacist and nurse, respectively, Mary was raised with her two sisters, Judy Ann and Helen Barbara, in a small Italian neighborhood in Omaha. She attended Catholic school at St. Mary’s. At 16, after developing a noticeable limp during a choral practice, and attending a dance where her right foot lost function, Mary was sent to a local doctor and surgeon who referred her to the Mayo Clinic for treatment. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed and treated her for cancer, resulting in a full-leg amputation (hemi-pelvectomy) two days before her 17th birthday. Unwavering in her faith and determined to persevere, Mary refused to let her disability define her. She returned to high school after only two months, graduated on time with her classmates, and enrolled at Creighton University. There, she met David, her future husband, in a classroom meet-cute reminiscent of all the great romances. Mary married David Glenn Wilson on August 17, 1957, and travelled the world as a proud military wife. Returning to finish her undergraduate degree at Creighton, Mary graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Throughout that time, and against medical advice, Mary and David grew their family. After each child, her doctors repeatedly advised Mary to abstain and not have more children. However, Mary was undeterred and had seven: five boys and two girls. Mary was unapologetically pro life. After settling down in Springfield, Virginia, in 1982, Mary had a 25-year career as a realtor, helping hundreds of families find and sell their homes. Mary was a devout Catholic and an active participant in her local church. She was a member of multiple bridge groups both at her church and in her neighborhood, an avid puzzle-maker, and a “I-fill-it-out-in-pen” crossword puzzler. Mary loved a good game of cards, a spirited debate, and visiting with her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary Wilson was a force. Everyone she met was drawn into her orbit. Embraced by her charm and easy laugh. Impressed by her sharp wit and unrelenting faith. In awe of her ability to persevere without pity, to succeed without accommodation. She was remarkably stubborn and completely unforgettable. And she was loved beyond measure. Fearless and steadfast, Mary loved her husband like he lit all the stars in the sky just for her. Nothing about her life would appear easy to an outsider’s eye. But if you asked her, she wouldn’t be able to identify her hardship. She believed her life was blessed. And it was. Mary took her situation as a challenge, her life as a blessing, and she refused to surrender. If you knew her, that fighting spirit was always present. She would stand toe-to-toe with anyone. And win. Five high-spirited boys, two mirror-image daughters, and a life as a military wife moving from house-to-house, country-to-country, never saw her back down. Instead, she rose — again and again — turning her cheek to the nay-sayers & conquering each hill. Mary’s light shone so brightly that everyone lucky enough to be loved by her carries a spark of her light — every child, every grandchild and great-grandchild, every dear friend. It was a gift she freely gave to anyone lucky enough to be loved by her. The world lost a remarkable soul the morning Mary Wilson died. But her spirit echoes among us, lighting our paths, and challenging us to share a little of the light she gave us with the people around us. Let her memory remind us that while the path may get bumpy, or force us to change direction, anything is possible with love. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Lance and Helen Bartek Seward; her sisters, Helen Barbara and Judy Ann; and her son David Paul. She is survived by her husband, David G. Wilson; children, Michael (Jacki), Mark (Holly), Mary Kathleen (Kelly), John (Gail), Thomas (Kerry), Helen (John); her grandchildren, Madeleine (Hunter), Micah, Alex (Stephen), Timothy (Sallie), Thomas, Samuel, Jack (Jaimie), Ian, Anna, Isabel, Theodore (Emma), Clare, Wendy, William, Cas, Henry, Jack, Charlie; and her great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Sophie, Dexter. Relatives and friends are invited to Jefferson Funeral Chapel, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM for a visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day at St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church at 10AM. Interment at Fairfax Memorial Park.

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Mary Clare Seward Wilson

January 9, 1937 - January 16, 2026