Class News

Tony Lavely’s wife, Wanda, succumbs to cancer

August 8, 2021

Obituary, Wanda Roberts Lavely

Wanda Roberts Lavely died peacefully at home on July 27, 2021. She left this world as she lived life in her best moments: surrounded by her loving family. Wanda is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Anthony Magee Lavely, along with their children, Hillary Lavely Corbin (Parker Corbin), Vanessa Lavely Camacho (Juan Sergio Camacho), and Benjamin Magee Lavely. Wanda was affectionately known as “Bibi” by her three grandchildren: Lavely Pyne Corbin, Campbell Magee Corbin, and Holloway Hillman Corbin.

Wanda Faye Roberts was born in Ishpeming, Michigan, on August 26, 1943, to Ernest John Roberts and Mabel Allen Roberts. They ultimately lived in Elkhart, Indiana, where her father owned Roberts Bakery. After Elkhart High School, Wanda attended Purdue University. She graduated in 1965 and moved to Chicago, Illinois. In 1971, Wanda met her future husband, thanks to a life-changing introduction by her life-long friend Joan Langan Maurer. On September 8, 1973, Wanda and Anthony married at a beautiful chapel in Evanston, Illinois, with Anthony’s father officiating. Wanda journeyed through the rest of her life with Anthony, her devoted partner and best friend, by her side, living in ten different cities and visiting many more, raising three children, and welcoming three grandchildren into the world.

Despite her small-town origins, Wanda was a quintessential “city girl.” In the Windy City, Wanda often could be found exploring downtown or enjoying post-work cocktails in fabulous tailor-made outfits (that her daughters would eventually covet). Later in life, she loved traveling to other major cities — in particular, New York City, the hub near which all of her children live.

Wanda always gave more than she received. For seventeen years, she worked as a social worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, specializing in adoptions and foster care. After shifting to full-time (and overtime!) work as a mother, Wanda was a fierce champion for her children. Her selfless acts are too many to count. Just to name some highlights: juggling three children under the age of three; resolving disputes over many fort battles; preparing snacks for halftime at the myriad sporting events where she proudly watched on the sidelines; expertly packing trunks for summer camp; offering advice for school applications and then touring dozens of campuses; serving on various school committees; preparing wonderful family dinners, including her legendary Thanksgiving meal; sending the world’s best care packages, including her famous (individually wrapped) cookies, brownies, carrot bread, and banana bread; patiently listening during frequent phone calls (and then trying to elicit “the gossip”); and showing up whenever her children needed her. She was also an animal lover, opening her home to many dogs and cats over the years.

Wanda added beauty to the world around her. From her mother, Wanda inherited a love of antiques, which she collected throughout her life. Even immediately after a move, she could make a new house feel like home, with her decorating abilities and the smell of her cooking. She also created a garden paradise in the backyard at each house she and Anthony shared, no matter how long they called it home. Flowers will always evoke memories of Wanda.

Wanda loved to celebrate as well. With family and friends, she wined and dined at countless outstanding restaurants, most of which were selected by Wanda after extensive research. She also enjoyed memorable family vacations in Captiva Island, Grand Cayman, Martha’s Vineyard, New Orleans, Italy, and Montana, among other places. Wanda was the life of the party, especially on the dance floor at weddings. Applying her well-honed skills as a social worker, Wanda also befriended strangers wherever she went, and usually knew their life story by the end of a flight or while sitting in a waiting room.

Wanda also craved adventure. Wanda gleefully jumped from a plane at 14,000 feet (not to be outdone by her children after their skydiving adventure!). An avid fitness enthusiast, Wanda ran the Chicago Marathon and many other road races, always challenging her husband and children to keep up. Even in the last year of her life, she welcomed the opportunity to explore Montana, where she rode horses, flew down zip lines, and floated through rapids.

Above all, Wanda lived her life for those she held dear. She always spoke her mind and, together with Anthony, taught their children to do the same. She truly loved life and celebrating its joyful moments, big and small. Her surviving loved ones will continue to celebrate in her honor, raising a glass and telling stories that would have made her laugh.

The family deeply thanks the doctors, nurses, and their support teams at Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. They added wonderful years to Wanda’s life.

In lieu of flowers, Wanda’s family asks that contributions be made in her name to Wohelo and Timanous to support scholarships. Both camps held a special place in Wanda’s heart, and she would have wanted other children to have the opportunity to experience the magic that can be found in the woods of Maine.

The family will celebrate Wanda’s life on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at 2:00pm at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, amid the beauty of nature that always made her happy.