Wanda Louise Oppenheim

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wanda Louise Oppenheim on April 7, 2025, at home in Lake Wildwood, California.  Wanda (Birge) was born March 9, 1944 in Long Beach, California and had just celebrated her 81st birthday.

A devoted wife of Paul Oppenheim for 29 years of marriage and a deeply caring mother, she is survived by her loving husband Paul, son Jeffrey, sister Peggy, brother Stanley (Phyllis), several nephews and nieces, and bonus son Chris (Trish) with bonus grandsons Conor & Howie.  She was preceded in passing by son Mark, sisters Debbie and Barbara, brother Curtis, parents Dessie and LeRoy, and bonus daughter Marnye.

A long time resident of Lake Wildwood. Raised in Colusa, California, she graduated from Hiram W. Johnson High School June, 1962, and completed classes at Marysville Business College in 1964.  She took great pride in being a mother and raising her sons. Her working career included various administrative positions at the County of Colusa, Steinbeck Library, Gilroy Municipal Court, Gaylord Container, Franzia Winery, E&J Gallo Winery, and City of Dublin.  She was dependable, conscientious, efficient, and was very well liked by all her co-workers.

Wanda was an avid golfer and loved the game after being introduced to it by husband Paul and played several times weekly at Lake Wildwood and earlier at Tracy Country Club.  She won awards for “Chip Ins”, “Birdies”, “Closest to the Pin”, and “Longest Drive”.

She also enjoyed decorating at home (the place she most wanted to be) with holidays being especially joyful.  Other loved hobbies included baking (gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies, cherry pies, much more); flower gardening; craft painting tee shirts, bird houses, Easter eggs, and many scenes of flowers, hummingbirds, dragonflies, butterflies, frogs.  Playing board & card games with friends & family was a lifelong enjoyment (she was known as the “Parcheesi Queen”).

Being outgoing and always friendly, Wanda was truly loved as a Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt and friend to so many.  She loved family, friends, and all kids – and left behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and dedication to all those who knew her.  She lived one of her favorite sayings “Try to Find the Good in Everyday”. Her passing is already felt, and she will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

A celebration of Wanda's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday May 22, 2025, at the Lake Wildwood Community Center: Lake Room, 18955 Wildflower Dr., Penn Valley, CA. 95946 (north gate). 

Family, friends, and anyone whose life was touched by Wanda are invited to join us in remembering the wonderful woman she was.  Please bring your favorite remembrances, photos, and memories of Wanda to share with all.

Dress is respectful casual; and hors d'oeuvres & light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital