Mimi Wise

MARY ELIZABETH “MIMI” WISE, age 90, was the daughter of the late Elias Paul and Helen Stewart Wise; cherished sister of Gloria Bylund (Linton, deceased), Barbara Pavlovic (Arthur) and David Wise (Jeanne); beloved aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt; and dear friend of many.

Mimi passed away on April 17, 2015, in Willoughby, Ohio. She was born on August 6, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mimi was a resident of Breckenridge Village for the past year and a half. She previously lived and worked in New York City for 64 years.

Mimi graduated from Maple Heights High School and Oberlin College, with a degree in English. Her first job, for RCA Victor, took her to Philadelphia. Soon after her career led her to New York. She was employed as a research editor for various organizations, including American Heritage magazine. She met the love of her life in France, Geoffery Bocca (deceased), while working with him on his novels.

In the early 1960s, she began visiting Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She later found property there where she built a cabin with her family on the Delaware river. The cabin was her weekend get-away where she enjoyed gardening and cooking.

Locally, she was a member of the Fine Arts Association Women’s Committee and the Cleveland Orchestra Club at Breckenridge Village. Mimi was an avid reader, who also enjoyed international affairs, politics and classical music. Her family remembers her as funny, enthusiastic, curious and kind. She was a friend of all, with a vivacious spirit, progressive mindset and generous heart.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mimi’s memory to the Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, OH, 44094.

A celebration-of-life service in Mimi’s memory will be Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Painesville United Methodist Church, 71 North Park Place, Painesville, OH, 44077. Family will receive friends and enjoy ice cream following the service at the church. Arrangements by DeJohn Funeral Homes & Crematory of Willoughby Hills.

A memorial service for Mimi will also be held in Bucks County at a date to be determined.