Wanda E. Lalande

April 10, 1937 - July 1, 2020

Wanda Elizabeth (Clemmer) Lalande, age 83 of Ocean View, DE, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 due to complications from her lifetime battle with rheumatoid arthritis. She was born in Marion, NC, on April 10, 1937, daughter of the late Puett and Rose Clemmer. Wanda lived her entire youth in Marion and after high school attended Montreat College in Black Mountain, NC. It was there, in 1956, she was recruited to join the Navy Department workforce in Washington, DC. While living in DC, Wanda met Luke Joseph Lalande through her roommate, and they began dating in February of 1957. Luke was in the Royal Canadian Airforce at the time and was stationed at the Canandian Embassy in Washington, D.C. After a year-long courtship, they were married on June 28, 1958. The couple decided to remain in the Washington, DC area. Wanda’s parents also moved to Washington D.C. to live their retirement near her and their grandchildren. Wanda and Luke had 3 boys, Eric Joseph, Jeffrey Andrew, and Gregory Marc, and they settled in Northern Virginia to raise their family. While Luke worked to build a business, Wanda was a homemaker, raising the boys, getting involved in their activities, and volunteering for many roles in Cub Scouts, youth sports, PTA and others. She was a wonderful and very active role model for her boys who loved her dearly. Wanda and the family spent many years vacationing in Bethany Beach, Delaware. In 1978, Wanda and Luke purchased their first home in the area to which they would eventually retire. In 1987, just before the birth of their first grandchild, they moved into the home that would become the center of their lives for the next 22 years. It was here, near Bethany Beach, Wanda would spend many summers with her 10 grandchildren, each one holding a special and unique place in her heart. It was also here where Wanda & Luke would join the Cripple Creek Country Club, and Wanda would become an avid golfer, winning several major tournaments. By 2009, Wanda’s arthritis had taken a severe toll on her body, and she no longer could play the game she loved. Although her golfing had to end, her time with her family continued. For the past 11 years, Wanda was surrounded by her family and her loving husband through many joyful occasions, including 3 of her grandchildren's weddings. Wanda was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Wanda is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Luke Joseph Lalande; her sons: Eric (Catalina), Jeff (Teresa), and Greg (Mary); and her grandchildren: Christopher, Danielle Krotman (Zack), Natalie (Zack), Emily (Joey), Nicholas, Evan (Casey), Zachary, Luke, Nathan, and Trevor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Center, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax Station, VA. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Mary's Historic Church Cemetery, Fairfax Station Road and Route 123, Fairfax Station, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Wanda's memory to the American Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309, or www.https://www.arthritis.org/ways-to-give/dm-donate. Please sign the online guestbook located on the tribute page.