Rachel was born on July 9th, 1933 to George and Mary Vignola. Rachel was the oldest of 3 daughters and one son. After graduating from Memorial High School in 1951, she started working at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Manhattan in the secretarial pool.
Rachel met Benjamin F. Wilder and happily married on September 19th, 1953, their marriage lasting 64 years, until his death in 2017.
Ben’s work took them to York, Pennsylvania. During this time, their only son, Mark, was born. After a short time, new opportunities brought them back to New Jersey. While in Rahway, Rachel started working at the Rahway Board of Education and eventually retired after 36 years. At this time, they became parishoners at St. Mark’s RC church.
Finally settling in Colonia, Rachel and Ben had many happy years until Ben’s passing in 2017. During this time, they became parishoners at St. John Vianney’s RC church in Colonia.
The closest things to Rachel’s heart were family, faith and friends. And, of course, dessert.
After Ben’s passing, Rachel became an active member at Evergreen and Colonia Senior centers enjoying singing, yoga and other community events.
Rachel is survived by her son Mark, Rebecca her daughter-in-law, Sam her grandson, Severio, her brother and Joy, her sister-in-law.
Visitation Sunday May 21, 2023 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Gosselin Funeral Home 660 New Dover Road, Edison. Day of Funeral Visitation Monday May 22, 2023 from 9:30am to 10:30am followed by a 11:00am Mass at St John Vianney Church, Colonia
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