Vorwerk & Wilson Families

Carolyn Margaret Wilson

b. 20 June 1910, d. 18 December 2000

Carolyn Margaret Wilson Vorwerk, 1910-2000

Father: Peter MacIntosh Wilson b. 4 October 1882, d. 28 August 1967
Mother: Louise Hayes b. 24 May 1878, d. 29 August 1954

Carolyn Margaret Wilson was born on 20 June 1910 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
She was known as Kay by family and friends.
About 1914, Louise and Pete Wilson were photographed with daughter Carolyn relaxing at the beach.
Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1915 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 461 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Carolyn Margaret Wilson, Dorothy Edna Gorman. Also in the household were two lodgers.
About 1916, Louise and Pete Wilson were photographed with daughter Carolyn on their porch steps, 461 Fifth Street.
A photograph was made of Carolyn in June 1917, and thirty yars later, her daughter is pictured with the carriage. Carolyn's doll (F.A.M. Doll Company of Weehawken, New Jersey) is still looking pretty.
Carolyn Wilson, June 1917
Carolyn's carriage, about 1947
Carolyn's doll (F.A.M. Doll Company, Weehawken, New Jersey)
Peter, Louise and Carolyn Wilson at 461 Fifth Street in Niagara Falls apparently were overlooked in the 1920 census due to an enumerating error. Dorothy Gorman is identified as "Niece" in the household of John Connor at 463 Fifth Street. and the family of Chester Wright is enumerated at 461. The Wilsons likely still were living at 461 on 1 January 1920, since Louise's mother Johanna Hayes died there on 14 March 1919.
Sisters Hannah, Louise and Jennie were photographed, with other assorted family members, at the beach, sometime about 1920.

Sisters Hannah Hayes Wright, Louise Hayes Wilson and Jennie Rushton Gorman, with Pete Wilson, Eleanor Wright, Carolyn Wilson, etc

Sisters Jennie Rushton Gorman and Hannah Hayes Wright with niece Carolyn Wilson at the beach
Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1925 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 336 Seventh Street. Other members of the household included Carolyn Margaret Wilson, Robert Emerson Wilson, Dorothy Edna Gorman and Harry Hayes. Boarding in the household was Vincent DeFrancis.
Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 336 Seventh Street Also living in the household was roomer Vincent DeFrances.. Other members of the household included Carolyn Margaret Wilson, Henry Hayes and Robert Emerson Wilson.
She was a machinist in a knitting mill, according to the 1930 census.
She married Harry James Robinson, son of Stephen H. Robinson and Martha Viola Pressey, circa June 1930.
The following appeared on 16 June 1930 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson of Seventh street today announce the marriage of their daughter, Carolyn Margaret, to Harry J. Robinson of Beeville, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson will make their home in Kingsville, Texas in September.
In a postcard postmarked 10 September 1930 in Wooster, Ohio, to Mr. & Mrs. P. C. Oliver, Carolyn & Harry wrote: Dear Aunt Maude & Uncle Phill, The scenery here is very beautiful. We are going to Chicago & Detroit. Sorry you weren't home when we went to see you. Lots of Love, Carolyn & Harry.
Postcard to Maude and Phil Oliver from Carolyn and Harry, 10 September 1930
Postcard to Maude and Phil Oliver from Carolyn and Harry, 10 September 1930
In May 1931, during the Spring Term of the 36th Judicial District Court of Texas, Bee County, Harry Robinson vs. Carolyn Margaret Robinson, it was "Ordered, Adjudged and Decreed by the Court that Plaintiff have Judgment against Defendant annulling the Bonds of Matrimony now existing by and between Plaintiff and Defendant, which said matrimonial ties are here now dissolved and held for naught and Plaintiff and Defendant are now decreed forever divorced."
In a postcard dated 15 June 1932 to Carolyn Margaret Wilson, Alice Maude Philpott wrote from Arcade Station, Los Angeles, California: Dear Caroline: Just a line to let you know we arrived here all O.K. last Thursday noon. Grandpa stood the long trip pretty well but of course was very tired. We both like it here so much. We have a nice little furnished cottage all to ourselves about four blocks from Mamie's home. Will write more next time. Drop us a letter dear, address 202 East 116th Place, Los Angeles. Grandma & Grandpa, Love XXX.
She was educated at Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing, Buffalo, Erie County, New York, graduating 1934.
She was employed as a registered nurse. from 1934 to 1941.
The following appeared on 13 October 1936 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, of Seventh street, have returned from Atlantic City, where Mr. Wilson was a delegate to the National Safety convention. Miss Carolyn Wilson, of Buffalo, and Peter Wilson, of McKoon avenue, accompanied them to Atlantic City.
Carolyn Margaret Wilson appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at Bryant Street at Children's Hospital.
She was employed as a trained nurse-anesthetist.
She married Frederick Augustus Vorwerk, son of August Vorwerk and Elizabeth Susanna Margaret Kammerer, on 4 July 1941 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Ambrose Chapel, DeVeaux School, with Rev. Dr. Philip W. Mosher, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, officiating.
Vorwerk-Wilson wedding at DeVeaux School, 1941
Vorwerk-Wilson wedding at DeVeaux School, 1941
Vorwerk-Wilson wedding at DeVeaux School, 1941
Vorwerk-Wilson wedding at DeVeaux School, 1941
Vorwerk-Wilson wedding at DeVeaux School, 1941
The following appeared on 5 July 1941 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, of 336 Seventh street announce the marriage of their daughter, Carolyn Margaret, to Mr. Frederick Augustus Vorwerk, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Vorwerk. The ceremony was performed yesterday morning in the presence of the immediate families in St. Ambrose Chapel, Deveaux School, the Rev. Philip Wheeler Mosher, D.D., officiating. Mr. and Mrs. G. Murray Brownjohn, of Buffalo, were the attendants. Mr. and Mrs. Vorwerk will reside in Buffalo.
Frederick Augustus Vorwerk applied for a Social Security account number on 24 September 1941 while living at 265 Parkside, Buffalo, Erie County, New York, and was employed there by W. E. Rains Company, at 11 West North Street. Until 10 April 1941, he had been self-employed in the radio service business.
In December 1941, Frederick and Carolyn Vorwerk relocated from Buffalo to Long Branch, New Jersey, following Frederick's orders to report for civilian service at Fort Monmouth. Likely this photo of Frederick with his aunt and uncle Friedrika and Eugen Laurier was taken soon after his arrival in New Jersey.

Eugen and Friederika Laurier and nephew Frederick Vorwerk
During the summer of 1942, Elizabeth Kammerer Vorwerk, and daughter Elsa, visited her sister- and brother-in-law Friederika and Eugen Laurier in Montvale, New Jersey. Also pictured are their son Carl Laurier and Carolyn Wilson Vorwerk, whose husband Frederick likely was the photographer.
The following appeared on 28 August 1944 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: (Births, Out-of-Town) To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Vorwerk, of Asbury Park, N. J., August 19, at Fitkin Memorial hospital, Neptune, N. J., a daughter, Elsa Louise. Mrs. Vorwerk is the former Carolyn Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, of Seventh street, this city.
The following appeared on 29 August 1944 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. P. M. Wilson, of Seventh street, is speinding a month at Asbury Park, New Jersey, the home of her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Vorwerk, and Mr. Vorwerk.
During the summer of 1947, Pete and Louise Wilson visited daughter Carolyn Vorwerk and family shortly after their move from Asbury Park to "the pie stand" on Route 35 in Laurelton, where telephone had just been installed in preparation for the imminent birth of daughter Margaret. They are pictured here with granddaughter Elsa.
From 1947 until 1968, the Vorwerk family lived in Laurelton, Brick Township, Ocean County, New Jersey.
The following appeared on 20 October 1948 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Frederick A. Vorwerk and daughters, Elsa and Margaret, Laurelton, N.J., are the guests of Mrs Vorwerk's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, Seventh street.
The following appeared on 1 June 1949 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Frederick A. Vorwerk and daughters, Elsa and Margaret, Laurelton, N.J., are the guests of Mrs Vorwerk's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, Seventh street.
The following appeared on 2 January 1950 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Among the visitors to Niagara Falls are Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Vorwerk, Miss Elsa Vorwerk and Miss Margot Vorwerk, who have come from Laurelton, N.J. They are guests of Mr. Vorwerk's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Vorwerk, and Miss Elsa Vorwerk in Ontario Ave. They will spend some time with Mrs. Vorwerk's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wilson, in 7th St., before returning to their home.
Leaving for Niagara Falls by train, 28 December 1949
During the summer of 1950, family gathered at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls for the christening of Frederick Augustus Vorwerk Jr. Pictured are infant Frederick and his parents, Pete Wilson, Marilyn Wilson (husband Bob the photographer), Elsa Vorwerk, Elizabeth Vorwerk, Louise Wilson and Eleanor Hayworth, with young Frederick's sisters Margaret and Elsa Vorwerk in front.

Zion Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, April 1950
The following appeared on 20 October 1950 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Out-of-town guests attending the Wilson-Guenther wedding tomorrow will be: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Vorwerk, Lauerlton, N.J; Mr. and Mrs. Carroll W. Corliss, Batavia; Dr. and Mrs. Leo C. Sierk, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ames, Miss Beverly Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Sierk, all of Attica; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sierk, Mr. Paul Sierk, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Cady, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Sierk, Darien; Miss Edna Dusinberre, Mrs. Sarah Lindsay, Geneva; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hunn, Pavilion; Mr. Paul A. Mitchell, Forest Hills, L.I; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hayworth and family, Mimico, Ont., and Miss Gertrude Everett, Toronto, Ont.
Moxie was part of the family from 1948 until 1963.
Elsa and Moxie, 1952
A snapshot was taken of Pete Wilson with daughter Carolyn and granddaughter Elsa, in December 1965.
Pete Wilson and daughter Carolyn and granddaughter Elsa, December 1965
From 1968 to until his death in 1977, Fred and Kay Vorwerk lived in Louisa County, Virginia, at Blue Ridge Shores.
Fred and Kay Vorwerk and son Frederick travelled to Germany aboard the SS United States in 1968.
She officially witnessed the death of Frederick Augustus Vorwerk on 14 January 1977; at sea in the Atlantic Ocean near St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, aboard the MS Kungsholm, while on holiday with his wife Carolyn.
Carolyn Margaret Wilson became a widow at the 14 January 1977 death of her husband Frederick Augustus Vorwerk.
Following Fred's death, Kay remained in their home in Blue Ridge Shores for almost twenty years, until 1996.
On 25 June 1990, to celebrate Kay's 80th birthday, family gathered in Blue Ridge Shores and organized a surprise afternoon gala at the community center. Kay's brother and all of her children and grandchildren attended, as well as numerous friends and neighbors.
From 1996 until 2000, she lived in Cumberland, Maryland, near her daughter Elsa Vorwerk.
Her family gathered in Cumberland, Maryland, to celebrate Kay's 90th birthday in June 2000, at the home of her daughter Elsa and husband Bill Wood. Daughter Margaret Davies and her daughter Kathy came from Roanoke, Virginia; Margaret's son Scott and his wife Antoinette came from Pennsylvania. Son Frederick and his wife Patti came from New Jersey with their sons Steve and Adam.
Carolyn Margaret Wilson Vorwerk celebrating her 90th birthday
Kay had a photographic portrait made during October 2000.
Carolyn Margaret Wilson Vorwerk, October 2000
At the time of her death Carolyn Margaret Wilson was living in Meyersdale, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, at Rest Assured Living Center.
Carolyn Margaret Wilson died on 18 December 2000 at age 90 in Baltimore, Maryland, at University of Maryland Hospital of complications resulting from a pelvic fracture.
She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
The following appeared on 20 December 2000 in the Cumberland Times-News: Carolyn Margaret "Kay" Vorwerk, 90, of Meyersdale, Pa., died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, in the Multi-Trauma Critical Care Unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore. Born on June 20, 1910, in Niagara Falls, New York, she was the daughter of the late Louise Hayes Wilson and Peter MacIntosh Wilson. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Augustus Vorwerk, in 1977. She was a 1932 graduate of the School of Nursing of Buffalo General Hospital and was trained as a nurse anesthetist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore during the 1930s. She and her husband relocated in 1941 to New Jersey upon entry of the United States into World War II, where she volunteered as a nurse in local hospitals during the war and later with the American Red Cross Disaster Services and Blood Bank programs. After raising their family in New Jersey, she and her husband retired during the late 1960s to Louisa, Va. Since 1996, she resided near her family in Cumberland. She was a member of Centre Street United Methodist Church in Cumberland. She is survived by her brother, Robert Emerson Wilson and his wife Alice "June" of Pittsford, N.Y; two daughters, Elsa Louise Vorwerk and her husband William Boyd Wood Jr. of Cumberland, and Margaret Elizabeth Vorwerk Davies and her husband Dr. Ross Sander Davies of Roanoke, Va; one son, Frederick A. Vorwerk Jr. and his wife Patricia Stajek-Vorwerk of Jackson, N.J; six grandchildren, Kathalene Margaret Ribler Davies Balda, Scott Sander Davies and his wife Antoinette Sorrenti Davies, Charles Ross Davies, Jonathan Edward Vorwerk, Steven Frederick Vorwerk, and Adam James Vorwerk; two nephews, Robert Peter Wilson and Steven Lindsey Wilson; and many dear friends. The Upchurch Funeral Home of Cumberland is in charge of the arrangements. At her request, she will be cremated. A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Niagara Falls, where she will join her beloved husband in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the giver's choice. She would not wish for this to be a time of sadness for her friends and family. Her life was full and her blessings many. She loved her family and dear friends, and goes willingly to join those who have preceded her.
On 4 August 2001, about fifty family members gathered in Niagara Falls, New York, to celebrate the life of Carolyn Margaret Wilson Vorwerk, and the return to Niagara Falls of both Kay and Fred, beginning with an afternoon memorial service at Oakwood Cemetery, and continuing with a fine dinner at the historic Red Coach Inn. The Oakwood setting was beautiful in the late afternoon, enhanced by the chiming of the Rainbow Bridge Tower Carillon. Nephew Steve Wilson sang "Amazing Grace," and various readings and recollections were shared by family members. Attending were daughter Elsa Vorwerk and her husband Bill Wood (Cumberland, Maryland), daughter Margaret Davies (Roanoke, Virginia) and her son Scott and his wife Antoinette (Dayton, Ohio); son Frederick and his wife Patti and sons Steve and Adam (Jackson, New Jersey); brother Bob Wilson and his wife June (Pittsford, New York), their son Steve (Miami, Florida) and their son and daughter Rob and his wife Anne and their daughter Alicyn (Fairport, New York). Canadian cousins from Ontario included Bill and Mary Wright (Baden), David and Joan Wright (Etobicoke), Wayne and Sue Hayworth (Thornhill), Glenn and Ruth Hayworth (Toronto), and Brian Hayworth and friend Gilda. Joining the celebration from the other side of the family were Ruth and Judy Hoffman (Buffalo), Lud and Margaret Laurier (Phelps, New York), Keith and Alison Laurier (Scottsville, New York), Steve and Paula Frank and daughter Laura and son Tom (Minneapolis); Mark, Myra and Patrick Dunning (Clarence, New York); Elizabeth Dunning, John and Julianna Jacoby, and Brian Patronsky (Niagara Falls, New York). Linnea and Doug Barto were also guests for the occasion.
Memorial gathering at Oakwood Cemetery for Carolyn Wilson Vorwerk, 4 August 2001
Memorial gathering at Oakwood Cemetery for Carolyn Wilson Vorwerk, 4 August 2001.
Nephew Steve Wilson and granddaughter-in-law Antoinette Sorrenti Davies discuss her scripture reading.
Memorial gathering at Oakwood Cemetery for Carolyn Wilson Vorwerk, 4 August 2001.
Family members are attentive to the kind words spoken.
Memorial gathering at Oakwood Cemetery for Carolyn Wilson Vorwerk, 4 August 2001