Caren Wilder

It is with the utmost sorrow that we announce the passing of Caren Joyce Wilder (nee Kaltz). Caren was born to parents Leonard and Loretta Kaltz (nee Magaziner) and brother Mitchell Kaltz on November 15, 1966 in Philadelphia, PA and spent the entirety of her life living in Northeast Philadelphia. Following a more than 5-year battle with cancer, Caren passed peacefully in her home surrounded by family and friends on July 9, 2024. 

A product of the School District of Philadelphia, Caren attended Temple University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree’ in Spanish with a certificate in Multilingual Business and Government Studies, after which she worked briefly in the International Department of Continental Bank. Caren returned to Temple University to pursue a Master of Education degree with the intention of following in the footsteps of her mother Loretta, a long-time Spanish teacher, and father Leonard, a teacher, Vice-Principal, and Principal. She worked as an ESOL teacher for 35 years in multiple schools within the district, spending the last 15 years of her career at Baldi Middle School.

While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Caren met her husband, best friend, and soulmate, Adam Wilder. Adam and Caren had gone to Northeast High School together and even had some classes together, but never had the opportunity to really get to know each other. At Temple, Caren and Adam shared some classes and worked together at Paley Library. It was not long before they fell in love and eventually married in 1989. 

Caren gave birth to her daughter Alexa in 1995 and son Dalton in 2002. Her love for her children was boundless and was returned in-kind. Caren was always Alexa’s biggest cheerleader in her theatre endeavors. There is no bond like a mother-daughter bond, and Caren and Alexa always pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves as possible. Caren and Dalton were the best of friends, and Caren immersed Dalton into many communities full of love and acceptance.

There was nothing more important in Caren’s life than family, which extending well beyond blood relatives to her seemly endless number of friends. She was truly everyone’s best friend, confidant, and therapist, always thinking of others before herself.

Caren leaves behind her devoted husband Adam, daughter Alexa (Nathan), son Dalton, brother Mitchell (Wendy), father Leonard, sister-in-law Faith (Tom), brother-in-law Robert (Anne), and hundreds of beloved family members and friends. Caren was preceded in death by her mother Loretta, her sister-in-law Stacy (Bud), and parents-in-law Janet and Gilbert.

Funeral services will be held at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors Suburban North (310 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA) on Monday, July 15 at 11:30am, precisely. Interment to follow at Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge, PA. Shiva will be observed at the family's residence. 

Caren lived a colorful life and her family would like to encourage mourners to wear attire that is equally as colorful and comfortable. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Federation of Neighborhood Centers.