Vilma Ameglio Lopez Washburn

Vilma Edith Ameglio Lopez Washburn

On September 8th 2025, our beautiful and loving mother, friend, sister, passed away at the age of 86. We will mourn her loss, but we will celebrate her encounter with our loving and merciful God. We will celebrate her embrace with Winston, her family, and friends who awaited her arrival. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Marguerite Ellen Gourley, and husband Jeffrey, by her two sons, Roy Dayton Haley (Kathy) and John Antonio Haley (Tina). Vilma will also be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Gabrielle McAnally, Christina Carrington, Lisa Baker, Drew Haley, Gina Pike, Nick, Cole, and Johna Haley. She was predeceased by brother Juan Ameglio and son Roy Haley. Vilma was born on July, 10, 1939 in the city of Panama, Republic of Panama to Juan Antonio Ameglio Zambrano and Margarita Elena Lopez, de Leon. Vilma enjoyed her childhood, family, faith, and education in Panama. She left her homeland in 1963 and became a US Citizen on March 17, 1981 on St. Patrick’s Day. She married Winston Washburn on December, 20, 1975 and moved to Sebring where she enjoyed her family and art life. Vilma graduated from IPA Intituto Pan-Americano the best bi-lingual High School in Panama, she attended the International Schools of Company of Latin America in art, and she attended South Florida Junior College in Arts and Cosmetology. She was a gifted artist and member of the Art League of Highlands County. She painted and restored old church statues. She offered painting lessons for children and enjoyed painting with her grandchildren. Vilma was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church and contributor to the new construction of the Church. She was a rosary maker, and her handmade rosaries are still loved and enjoyed today. A devoted member of the International Our Lady Rosary Makers and Marian Helpers, she also supported the Gabriel Project Crisis Pregnancy Pro-Life mission. As a monthly financial contributor to EWTN, the Catholic Global Television Network founded by Mother Angelica, she helped spread the faith globally. She also participated in the Women’s Club of St. Catherine Catholic Church and volunteered at the Good Shepherd Hospice. This beautiful woman will be among “the large crowd of witnesses around us,” and one day we will see her again!  A funeral mass will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church with interment following at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
Sebring, Florida
Online condolences may be left at
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com