Emily (David) Wildes, a Groton resident, celebrated her 90th birthday on Friday, October 24th. A birthday celebration in her honor was held at the Octagon Restaurant in Groton on October 26th, attended by friends and family members.

Born in Willimantic in 1924, Mrs. Wildes is the eldest daughter of Eva Basila and John David, both deceased. She grew up in New London, where she attended Williams Memorial Institute and later became a nursing student at the former Joseph Lawrence School of Nursing. After graduating in September 1945, Mrs. Wildes served as a nurse at the Lawrence+Memorial Hospital before moving to California, where she met the man she would marry, Warren Wildes, originally of Noank. Married on June 25, 1948 in Las Vegas, the couple eventually returned to Connecticut. During the early years of her marriage, Mrs. Wildes worked at the Lawrence+Memorial Hospital as a head nurse, an experience she values.

For nearly 60 years, Mrs. Wildes has resided with her husband in Groton, in the same Eastern Point area home that Mr. Wildes, a retired homebuilder, designed and constructed. She raised two children there; Doretta Wildes, currently of Middletown, and Linda Wildes, currently of Wethersfield. Today, she is the proud grandmother of three charming young people; Alex Mafucci, 22, Emelie Pascoe, 22, and Max Mafucci, 20.

Mrs. Wildes is an accomplished gardener who continues to invest her time and talents in the fully landscaped backyard that she and her husband created. For years, she has belonged to an arts and crafts club and continues to contribute her time to volunteer activities. She is also a creative cook who draws upon her own American and Lebanese recipes.

A caring friend, as well as a loving wife and mother, Mrs. Wildes is a firm believer in meaning what you say and saying what you mean. "When I was young," she has often remarked, "I didn't say 'boo'. But over time, I've learned to speak up." Her family is grateful for all of her many sacrifices, her wisdom, her serious but good humored approach to life, her high standards, her love of beauty, and her willingness to accept us as we are. Happy birthday, dearest Emily, Mom, Grandma! We love you with all our hearts.