Wanda Leota (Pape) Payne

Wanda Leota (Pape) Payne 75, of Bridgeville, DE passed away peacefully at home on Monday January 1, 2024.

Wanda was born in Frostburg Mayland on March 25, 1948. After Graduating from Beall High School in 1966 she joined the Air Force. While stationed in California with the Air Force she met the love of her life, Ronald Payne, and married him on the summer solstice in 1968 so they could celebrate their wedding day and anniversaries on the longest day of the year. After leaving the Air Force Wanda and Ron moved to Delaware where they had two children, Bryan and Scott. Wanda worked as a school bus driver, manager, and baker. Her favorite job was being Granny to her only grandson Joshua. She loved hats, pelicans, and crafting in her crafting room. Wanda was active at the Greenwood Cheer Center and The Seaford Wesleyan Church, “The Ark.”

Wanda is preceded in death by her mother, Helen Hawn Pape, father, Charles Pape, sister, Dottie (Pape) Hughlett, and husband Ronald Payne.

Wanda is survived by her sons, Bryan Payne; his wife Hillary, and their son Joshua of Fort Collins, CO, and Scott Payne of Bridgeville, CO; her nephew Todd Hughlett of Los Angeles, CA, her niece Dana McLeish of Spokane, Washington.

A celebration of life for Wanda and Ronald will be held in the Spring around their birthdays.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Wanda’s memory can be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/