Doug and Barbara Wyman were active Oak Parkers for 60 years. They loved Oak Park and Oak Park loved them back.
Last October I took a long walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain to reflect on, and heal from, the previous year. Over the prior 9 months, time imposed its will on our family. Dad left his beloved Oak Park home of 38 years and passed away four months later (Feb. 24, 2023). Soon after, our oldest sibling, Dave, suffered a severe stroke. Three months later, Mark, the third sibling, died unexpectedly.
The Wymans were on grief overload. Our mother Barbara, who was a master at swearing without really swearing, would have called it “A real Shoot Show” or “The Year from Heck.”
As I walked the Camino, I felt sadness, but also an overwhelming sense of gratitude and awe at all the wonderful Oak Parkers who stepped up for us: They brought boundless love, support, guidance, food, shelter, stories, songs, labor, laughs and tears. The undercurrents were kindness, generosity and courage when the path was hard and laced with sorrow.
I grew up in Oak Park, but left when I was young. Returning in my 60s, I realized that Oak Park isn’t just a community, but as Ken Trainor states in his book, Our Town Oak Park, it is a way of life. “It is the alchemy that takes place when we interact … we become better individuals when we intersect.” Our family greatly benefited from this rich alchemy.
I don’t have space to acknowledge the hundreds who helped us but will list a few.
- Renee and the 1000 S. Scoville block: the surrogate family allowing Dad to stay in his home until age 94.
- Ascension parishioners who were Doug and Barb’s spiritual family for 60 years.
- All the marching saints of “Extending the Word.”
- Our angels, Mary Lou and (the recently ascended) John Dwyer.
- The joyous pool-playing gang, especially for that last 8 ball!
- Lauretta: for everything!
- Doris and the All Things Local radio show for getting Doug back to radio.
- The best caregivers ever: Joycee, Vella and Sheila.
- To American House, Dad’s last earthly home.
- Immeasurable thanks to David Wyman’s community, especially Mike Sullivan and the Goldyburger’s folks.
- A very special shout-out to Jim Flanagan of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, a man of incredible skill, wisdom, generosity, and love of elders.
- And to the women who surely saved Dave’s life — Maggie, Laura and Robyn, along with his incredible wife Danita.
With divisiveness rampant, I wanted to celebrate Oak Park’s connections and inclusiveness. It seems right to close with some of Dad’s words. Imagine him saying these with his deep voice: “Keep on loving your neighbor. Serve and serve some more. Give 20 hearty hugs a day. Call someone and sing, ‘I just called to say I love you!’ And Donate to the CROP Walk!”
From all of the Wymans, thank you so much for your love, support and kindness. We have seen the Soul of Oak Park. It is all of you.
Mary Wyman, an Oak Park native, is the 5th of 9 Wyman “kids.”