Wilma S.M. Cobb

Portland - Wilma S. M. Cobb, 87, died on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at her home. Wilma was born on June 24, 1930, the daughter of the late Willy and Maria Nee (Karsten) Topp, in Brooklyn, NY. Wilma's parents decided to move back to Steinau/Strassdeich, Germany with Wilma when she was only a year old. Wilma grew up in Germany and attended local schools. In 1947, when she turned 18, Wilma decided to move back to New York, staying at her aunt and uncle's home, Erna and Ernest Berwing. Wilma's parents came back to NY around 1953 to join the family. She worked as a Merchandise Buyer for B. Altman and Bergdorf Goodman in NY. Through her work she was able to travel, which she greatly enjoyed. Wilma met and married the love of her life, Clyde Cobb and they married at the Plaza Hotel in NY on March 5, 1966. Wilma and Clyde lived on Read Street, and then in 1972, moved to Chenery Street. After she moved to Portland she worked as buyer for Porteous Department Store, in the bridal department and then ladies coats. Former bridal customers from previous decades would see Wilma in the community and she would remember them as well. When she wasn't working she enjoyed vacationing at the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont, cross country skiing, and getting together weekly with the Chenery Street knitting group. While the other women were knitting scarves and blankets, Wilma was knitting tiny hats for the babies at Mercy Hospital, those who were homeless, or local school children. Wilma would light up a room with her smile; she was the ultimate selfless giver. Wilma was a lifelong learner; she loved to try new things. She always kept up with current events and was an avid history buff. Although she never had her own children she took on the role of a loving grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother, and treated them as her own. Her family remembers going on special trips in Alfred at Gile's Family Farm, and handpicking strawberries and blueberries in the area together. Her blueberry muffins were baked with love and well known in the Cobb family. Wilma was not only great at baking; she also made her famous 25 plus lbs of butternut squash for the Cobb Thanksgiving every year. Everyone would get together at the American Legion Hall in Gray so she and Clyde could spend the holidays with Clyde's side of the family. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at the Park Danforth for making it her second home, after she sold her house on Chenery Street. She enjoyed the activities and she would rave about the chef who made the food. Wilma was predeceased by her husband, Clyde, in 1998, and many cousins. She is survived by two grandsons, Stuart Cobb and his wife Kristen of FL, Ricky Cobb and his wife Calla of Bridgton; three great grandchildren, Autumn St. Clair, and Sadie and Abigail Cobb; one great-great grandson, Easton Dearborn; four cousins in Germany; and Clyde's family of Gray. She will be missed by many friends. A funeral service will be held at 10:00AM on Monday, February 12, 2018, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Memorial contributions may be made in Wilma's memory to Park Danforth, 777 Stevens Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103