Wilma Irvine “Bitsy†Shadell, 80, passed away on Friday, Feb. 12, 2011 at the Chapel Hill Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. A native of Cheyenne, Wyo., she was the daughter of the late Col. and Mrs. William Harris Irvine. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Capt. Douglas B. Guthe, U.S. Navy, her son, William I. Guthe and her daughter-in-law, Dr. Rebecca L. Calderon.
She is survived by her sisters, Peggy Allen of Norfolk, Va., and Singie Williams of Spring Grove, Va.; her sons, Capt. Douglas B. Guthe, Jr., U.S. Navy (retired), of Chapel Hill, N.C., and David Guthe and wife Ursula of Rockville, Md.; and five grandchildren, Lea, David and Klara Calderon-Guthe of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Kevin and Andre Guthe of Rockville, Md.
She graduated from high school in Pacific Grove, Calif., then attended music conservatory in San Francisco, Calif., before getting married. An accomplished pianist, she also played the organ in church. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also loved Welsh Corgis, having several as pets throughout her life.
The family received friends on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 from 4-6 p.m. at Walker’s Funeral Home, 120 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Wilma’s name to the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fund, mtnafoundation.org; or to the USO of North Carolina, Inc., P.O. Box 91536, Raleigh, NC 27675, uso-nc.org