Carylyn Wilson

Our Warrior Queen, the AmBADASSador of Hope, Carylyn Caspersen Wilson, crossed the finish line on Saturday, June 22, 2024 after a heroic battle with cancer. Her beloved family surrounded her and took wings to her favorite song, Good Day by Luce.

Cary was born in Oakland, California, to Dr. Leroy and Coralee Caspersen. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1960 where she attended Bridlemile Elementary, Wilson High School, and Lewis & Clark College where she earned a degree in psychology. Not long after graduating, she met Ken Wilson, who would become the love of her life. They were married 40 years ago on August 11, 1984.

Cary was a force of nature with a dynamic and effervescent personality that could light up a room and inspire each person she met. She radiated goodness, kindness, compassion, a love of family and a love of life. Also, she was the most insanely fun person in the room.

Cary exuded an energy and zest that would have exhausted most of us! With a profound love for sports, she excelled at soccer, golf, tennis, and downhill skiing and rowed with the Lewis & Clark Women’s Rowing Club. Over the years, she captained and coached numerous women’s and men’s tennis teams at Crane Creek Country Club and Boise Park & Rec teams and even led a few to compete at the USTA National Championships.

A talented artist in her own right, she followed her passion. She started her own business, creating customized baby birth and wedding announcements and various painted mediums. Not only were her unique paintings and crafts prized gifts to her friends but she would gather other local artists to host popular seasonal art and crafts shows.

Cary and Ken's children, Carlee and Cole, attended Highlands Elementary School, where she volunteered as the Art Mom. Cary’s gift for art and bringing people together led her to begin the Highlands Elementary Art Auction, a hugely successful event each year that has since raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations for the school.

Despite battling breast cancer in 1998 and ovarian cancer from 2019-2024, Cary lived life to the absolute fullest. She was a mentor to scores of cancer patients and survivors inspiring them to ‘stay positive and keep going’ while sharing her own experiences and lessons on the Journey. She wanted to educate people about cancer, its treatment, and the whole human experience of the process- emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Most importantly Cary wanted to offer HOPE!

She felt blessed to receive excellent medical care participating in Medical Trials at MD Anderson in Houston for two years, followed by Immunotherapy and the loving care she received at Saint Alphonsus in Boise. She thanked her healthcare providers, doctors and nurses at every appointment.

Cary became an iconic fixture at MD Anderson walking the halls in her regal pink cape, crown, and sash inscribed with “Warrior Queen, the AmBADASSador of Hope.” She considered this role her calling to meet people at MD Anderson who were on their unique journeys, listen to them, inspire and encourage them, offer hope, and give a Warrior Pep Talk.

Cary carried Warrior Bracelets with her made by her friend Kathy Tucker who she mentored through Breast Cancer 20+ years ago. She passed out the bracelets as a reminder to never give up to cancer patients, their advocates, doctors, nurses, administrators, and anybody she thought could use a little inspiration.

Cary is survived by her husband and soul mate, Ken Wilson; their children, Carlee and Cole; brothers Cliff and Curt Caspersen; sister-in-law Coleen; nieces Ryan and Casey; nephews Connor and Clarke; mother-in-law Priscilla (Nana) Wilson, brother and sister-in-law Cam & Migel Wilson, nieces Nicole and Adrianna, their immediate families and countless multitudes of friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held for our Cary on her and Ken's 40th wedding anniversary, Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise. Please RSVP to kwilsonidaho@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. Instead of flowers, remembrances of Cary can be sent to MD Anderson, Fred Hutch Center, Saint Alphonsus Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Sweet Angel, your hard work here is done. Now fly high and proud. We’ll love you forever, Care Bear.