Wilma Chambers Passes

Trot Insider has learned long-time horsewoman Wilma Chambers passed away on February 6, 2021 at her home in Harrington, Delaware.

Wilma was born in Maitland, Nova Scotia, to Jean and Malcolm McNeil on July 10th, 1944. She adored her parents and her siblings, Lorraine, Archie, and Stephen, as well as their spouses and children. Growing up in Sackville, Nova Scotia, she made many lifelong friends, including her husband Paul whom she married in 1964. Wilma and Paul moved to Carroll’s Corner, Nova Scotia in 1970 where they owned a farm that became the hub for family gatherings. Wilma became Paul’s partner in the racing stable, in addition to a devoted wife and mother. They moved to the USA in 1978 to train and race harness horses on the Grand Circuit. Wilma and Paul chose to spend winters in North Carolina and summers in New York. North Carolina is where their four children, Shelley, Leigh Anne, Colleen, and Stuart graduated high school and university. Wilma and Paul moved to Virginia in 1990 and then to Delaware in 2002.

Wilma was proud of her children and supported each of their unique passions. She loved watching Stuart play sports and later coach his own sons. Wilma loved spending time with Stuart and his wife, Megan, and their sons, Caden, Drew, and Nash. Wilma enjoyed cheering on Colleen in her harness racing and equestrian events. Leigh Anne’s art shows were some of Wilma’s most coveted activities. Wilma enjoyed visiting Shelley in Wilmington, NC, especially if she was there with her sister Lorraine and brother in-law Bill or her grandsons. Wilma loved adventures and racing horses with Paul. Wilma and Paul retired in 2017 due to the progression of her memory loss, throughout which Paul was a steady and devoted caregiver.

The pride of their stable was the World Champion and 2005 O'Brien Older Trotting Horse of the Year JM Vangogh. He was also nicknamed the “The Comeback Kid” for his remarkable comeback from an accident at age two in an Ontario Gold Final. JM Vangogh’s career accomplishments include a record of 1:52.4 in 206 starts with 65 wins, 33 seconds, 22 thirds and career earnings of close to $2.3 million.

Paul and Wilma purchased him with partner John Mello as a yearling for only $4,500. They broke him as a yearling and trained him in the U.S. and then he went to Ron Waples for his Ontario stakes in the summers. JM Vangogh raced successfully through age 10 and continues to live a wonderful retirement in a pasture behind their house in Harrington, DE. JM and Wilma had a special bond. They had hundreds of other wonderful racehorses who went through their family stable and several stakes champions. Wilma always intently followed her brother’s (Archie McNeil) successful racing stable with pride.

We are beyond grateful for Wilma, our truly kind, feisty, and generous mother. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to the Alzheimer’s association, act.alz.org/donate or the Duke Eye Center Research Fund, www.gifts.duke.edu/dukeeye.

Condolences and memories may be left at: https://www.forevermissed.com/wilma-chambers/about.

Please join Standardbred Canada in sharing condolences with the family and friends of Wilma Chambers.