Wilma E. Winters, born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island on March 27, 1918, spent much of her life in Franklin, Massachusetts. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1936 before attaining her Bachelor’s degree in education from Boston University and her Master’s degree in library science from Simmons College.

 

Winters worked as a librarian for Boston University Medical School, the Retina Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Later in life, she moved back to Franklin and volunteered at the Franklin Public Library. When she died, her will bequeathed almost $50,000 to the Friends of the Public Library. The money allowed them to purchase tables and chairs for the main reading room during the library's renovation in 2017. She left quite a legacy and in honor of her service, the Friends of the Franklin Public Library maintain a scholarship fund in her name, presenting $1000 to a deserving Franklin High senior every year.

 

Wilma Winters died on July 25, 2011 at the Pond Home and is buried at the Union Street Cemetery in Franklin.