Anne Emilie (nee. MacDonald) Wagner

Anne Emilie Wagner (nee. MacDonald) passed away on September 6, 2024.  She was 93 years old.  Born on October 16, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Edward and Anna MacDonald.  

She was the beloved wife of the late James Wagner who died in 2006; mother of Emilie McGrath (John); grandmother of John “J.P.” Patrick McGrath and Julia Anne; aunt of Suzanne MacDonald Milne (Rick) and Lisa MacDonald McLain; great aunt of Jessica Rollinson (Brent), Tim McLain, Nicole Shifflett, Alissa McLain; great-great aunt of Barrett and Harper.

from her daughter, Emilie: The best word to describe my mother is extraordinary.  She dedicated her life to her country and her community.  She was the first person to extend a helping hand to anyone in need and she spent her professional and personal life doing whatever she could to better the world around her.  What made her happiest was helping others and spending time with her family.

Those of you who knew and loved her through my eyes called her Woo, a nickname I came up with as a young child.  I drew a cartoon one day and called it “Nifty Super Mom”.  She was on her way to the cleaners to pick up her super-mom cape (which explained why you did not always see her wearing it).  Once she put it on, she took off saying “Woo Woo!” and that is how the nickname started.  She thumbtacked that drawing by the phone in the kitchen for years.  I used to look at it and think how bad it was, as I was not a good artist, but she would never let me take it down saying how much she loved it.  She was never a formal person and throughout the years she would often introduce herself to my friends as Anne, but then say “but you can call me Woo”.  Just thinking of this makes me smile because so many of you loved my beloved Woo.

She grew up in Collingdale where she completed her primary education graduating second in her class from Collingdale High school.  While attending Drexel University she joined the Marines and was activated during the Korean War and was one of the first female marines stationed at Camp Lejeune.  She returned to Drexel and graduated with a B.S. degree and first honors.  She continued her education attending Bryn Mawr College where she received her M.S.S. and ABA in Social Research.  Anne was a firm believer in the importance of education and remained a life-long learner gaining certificates in organizational development, non-profit management and was a graduate of the Penn State Master Gardeners program.  Her favorite past time was reading, and it was unheard of for her to go anywhere without at least one book in her purse.  People worry these days about walking and looking at their cell phones, we always teased her it was not safe for her to walk because she always did so with her nose in a book!

She spent her professional career in the non-profit sector focusing on community services, family counseling and retired as the executive director of the Delaware County Domestic Abuse project.  Her dedication to her community was evident in her professional life but also in her personal life.  It would take a novel to document all of her achievements but a few she particularly proud of were the establishment of the successful Nana’s Attic project which supported housing for victims of domestic violence, she was the President/Chair of the Delaware County Aids Network and served on many boards for non-profits.  She was an avid supporter of the arts.  She served as chair for the annual art fundraiser for the Women’s resource center which sponsored the works of local female artists.  During retirement, she dedicated her time to volunteer work; dedicating time at Tyler Arboretum, Second Reading, and Surrey Services for Seniors just to name a few.  She was respectful and kind, but a fierce advocate for anyone in need.  As one of her dear friends said, "she never knew anyone who could speak so softly yet move mountains".

As dedicated as she was to her community she was even more so to her family, especially her daughter, Emilie; son-in-law, John; her grandchildren. JP and Julia and her nieces, Suzanne (MacDonald – spouse is Rick Milne) and Lisa (MacDonald McLain). She will forever be missed but remain in our hearts.

As a master gardener she was dedicated to the preservation of the environment. Her granddaughter, Julia, served as the volunteer director of the pollinator garden at the Friends of Cape May Wildlife Refuge this summer. She was so proud of this venture and in lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made in her name to support the pollinator garden project. Details are below.

Interment with United States Marine Corps honors will be at 1:30PM on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd, Newtown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online at the Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge  DONATE {note: in the  “special instructions” box, please note Anne Wagner - “for pollinator gardens.”}

For donators not online:  a check addressed to “Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge" {note: in the  “special instructions” box, please note Anne Wagner - “for pollinator gardens.”} c/o Friends of Cape May NWR, 24 Kimbles Beach Road, Cape May Court House, NJ  08010.

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