Wilma Martz Bridger, 86, passed away Friday, June 3, 2016. Daughter of Henry S. Martz and Ruth Nemon Martz, she was born on March 29, 1930 in Connellsville, PA. She was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Baldwin Bridger, Jr.; daughter Ruth C. Dinhobl and husband, Richard; son John W. Bridger and wife, Donna; daughter Mary Gere Bridger and husband, Gregg Wamsley; grandchildren Kathryn, Zachary and Austin Bridger, Andrew and Mark Dinhobl, and Seamus and Simon Wamsley; as well as by her sister, Mary Hannah Martz.  After graduating from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1948, Wilma entered nursing school, becoming a registered nurse in 1951. That same year, Wilma met her future husband, Baldwin, in Sunday School class. The couple was married two years later in Washington, D.C.  Wilma continued her work as an RN until Ruth was born.  Moving often with Baldwin’s work, the family finally settled in the Houston area in 1973.   Wilma was an involved mother, volunteering as a Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader, as well as attending school activities and staying on top of homework.  Wilma was also extremely involved in Clear Lake United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 42 years. She volunteered in the kitchen for weekly dinners, shelved books at the church library, sewed stuffed animals for children in Africa, participated in women’s groups, attended Sunday School, hosted small group dinners and greeted regularly at the early morning service.  And for 30 years, she was known as Miss Wilma in the Giraffe Room at the church’s Mothers’ Day Out program.  Wilma enjoyed crafting, sewing and reading. In later years, she enjoyed vacation cruises with Baldy. Wilma believed that chocolate was a major food group, and that there was always room for family and ice cream.

The family will receive visitors at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center Blvd., Webster, on Thursday, June 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, Houston at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11. To celebrate Wilma’s vibrant personality, guests at the memorial are invited to wear her favorite color, purple. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of one’s choice.