Damaris 'Dee' Wilkie

Damaris Wilkie, Dee, 90, of Wilkes Barre, peacefully passed away at her home on May 20, 2023.

Born September 24, 1932, in Wilkes-Barre she was a daughter of the late George and Helen Bandish Spayder.

Dee graduated from James M. Coughlin High School, Class of 1950. She was an assembler and tester for RCA/Harris in Mountain Top for many years before retiring.

Dee was a longtime member of the Sports Car Club of America. Damaris served as registrar and Chief Pit Crew Member of her husband, Joseph Wilkie's, race car team. She enjoyed watching her husband participate in road rallies, gymkhanas, hill climbs, and road racing in the early years.

Her husband of sixty-four years, Joseph Carl Wilkie, died on July 21, 2017. Her brother George 'Bucky' Spayder, and sisters June Spayder Lewis and Virginia Spayder McGraw also preceded her in death.

Dee will be greatly missed by her daughter, Beth Ann Ritz; granddaughter, Jessica and her husband Patrick Cawley; great-grandchildren Alexis, Aiden, Norah, and Natalie Cawley; brother Joseph 'Butch' Spayder and his wife Janice; sister-in-law Karen McManus; nieces, nephews, family members and many lifelong friends.

Celebration of Dee's Life begins Tuesday, May 23, 2023, with visitation from 6 to 8 PM at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes Barre. It continues there on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, with a gathering at 10 AM followed by a prayer service at 10:30 AM.

Share memories and condolences with Dee's family at mjmclaughlin.com