Barbara Jane Bernadette Frisz Wilson

Barbara Jane Bernadette Frisz Wilson passed away in the embrace of her children and grandchildren on December 16, 2021.  The Wilson family would like to thank those who helped her through her later years, including, but not limited to Ashley Cunningham, Sue Watson, Eileen Mann, Mike Forsythe, Kim Zinkovich, FNP, and Dr. Gary Fitzgerald. Barbara was born at St Anthony’s Hospital in 1931, and was raised in Terre Haute, Crawfordsville, and at “The Shades,” the resort founded by her grandfather that later became Shades State Park. Barbara attended the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg, and met John Wallace Wilson at Purdue University, where she studied pharmacy.  They were living in Mississippi when John died in a car accident in 1964, and Barbara became the sole provider and caregiver for five children under the age of 10.

Barbara moved the family back to Terre Haute, and worked as a pharmacist at Neukom’s Drugstore for ten years, before working as pharmacist and manager at Hooks, and later CVS.  She retired as the manager of the Twelve Points store in 1995.  Barbara volunteered as the pharmacist at St Ann’s Clinic from 1997 to 2014.  While at the clinic, she mentored and provided housing for dozens of pharmacy interns from Butler and Purdue. In the 1990s, Barbara worked with the State Licensing Board to enable qualified pharmacists who got their degrees in other countries to become licensed in Indiana.

In 2014, Barbara was declared a “Distinguished Hoosier” by the Governor of Indiana for her work at St Ann’s, and in March 2021 was honored as a “Remarkable Woman” by WTWO for being a pioneer for women in pharmacy, her mentorship, her charitable work, and how she overcame adversity to raise a family.  Barbara was predeceased by her parents Fabian and Catherine (May) Frisz, and her sisters Elizabeth (“Libby”) Frisz and Cece Feeney.  Barbara is survived by her sister Catherine Conrady of St Mary-of-the-Woods, and her children, John (“Mark”) Wilson of Terre Haute; Elizabeth (“Libby”) Wilson of Buffalo, NY; Scott Wilson (Sheryl) of Mesquite, TX; Amy Nicewick (Art) of Herndon, VA; and Matt Wilson (Lorelle) of Marlborough, CT.  Barbara loved knitting baby blankets, making dolls, and sewing Christmas stockings for her grandchildren Nick, Andrew, Claudia, Claire, and Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) Wilson; Meagan Bryant (Jeremy); and Alec, Corinne, and Elise Nicewick; and her great-grandchildren Augi and Ada Wilson, and Eloise Bryant.

She treated her children’s friends and her friends’ children as if they were her own, and always kept the cookie jar full. She delighted in going on cruises all over the world with her sisters and brothers-in-law and visited six continents. However, her greatest joy was being surrounded by the growing family she held together with her love. Her quiet industriousness and strong work ethic were products of growing up in the Great Depression and raising a family on her own. Barbara lived her faith through her actions. She always had an open door, and her motherly care extended far beyond her own family. Barbara was known for doing many small things with great love, and sent hundreds of cards every year celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays to a wide network of family and friends.

Visitation is 4:00 to 8:00 Tuesday, December 21 at Callahan-Hughes Funeral Home at 605 S. 25 ^th St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:05 on Wednesday, December 22, at St Benedict’s Church, 111 S. 9 ^th St.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for The Council on Domestic Abuse (CODA), 26 S. 17 ^th St., Terre Haute, IN 47807.