Wanda M. Waid

Wanda M. Waid, age 92, longtime resident of Interlaken, passed away at Geneva General Hospital on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

Wanda was born in Little Genesee, NY on December 5, 1931, a daughter of the late Gerald B. and Winona (nee Campbell) Winchell. After completing high school in Belmont, she was married to Duane Waid.  In 1955, they moved their young family to Interlaken, where Wanda kept busy with community affairs. She played a big role in the success of three family businesses. She was receptionist, typesetter and proofreader for the print shop, and advertising salesperson for the Trumansburg Free Press, Ovid Gazette and Interlaken Review newspapers. Wanda helped found “The Depot Dispatch” for Seneca Army Depot and “Willard Window” for Willard Psychiatric Center and was co-founder of Waid’s Honey & Candles. She served years as secretary of Finger Lakes Beekeepers Club and advertising sales for Empire Honey Producers, she was named NYS Beekeeper of the year in 1992 and received various other awards. She manned the booth at the Windmill in Penn Yan for 15 years without missing a Saturday.  Wanda was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Interlaken, where she taught Sunday school, volunteered at Bible Club while also volunteering for 4-H, Girl Scouts, school events and other activities, helping young people develop into better citizens.  Wanda was active in the Trumansburg Chamber of Commerce, the Seneca County Board of elections and many community organizations as a volunteer.  She and Duane were Interlaken Citizen of the Year in 1994 and was awarded a certificate of appreciation from First Baptist Church of Interlaken.

Wanda is survived by her husband of 74 years, Duane and their children; Roxanne Ferris of Ovid, Jerry (Diane) Waid of California, MD and Craig (Patty) Waid of Ovid; 10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; a brother, Leland Winchell of Friendship, NY and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Waid and by a brother, Philip and a sister, Wanita.

A memorial service to commemorate Wanda’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Interlaken at 11:00am on Saturday, May 4, 2024, a reception will then follow, at a location to be announced later.  Prayers of committal were held privately at Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken. Kindly consider a donation in Wanda’s memory to First Baptist Church of Interlaken.