Resident dubbed Wilton Manors ‘island city’

The woman who gave Wilton Manors its nickname as the “island city” as part of a City Hall contest died last week.

Norma Hilda Rollinson, who lived in Wilton Manors since 1956, was 98.

In 1987 the city was searching for a new image — and one it could translate onto its entry signs.

Rollinson told the Sun Sentinel in 1987 that the idea came easily to her. “I realized all the signs would be at bridges because you enter Wilton Manors by bridge. We’re unique because we’re an island city. I thought it would be interesting to focus on that,” she said.

Wilton Manors is surrounded by the north and south forks of the Middle River.

The nickname is now also part of the city seal.

Mary Ulm, president of the Wilton Manors Historical Society, said it’s a slogan that stuck.

“She noticed with all the bridges coming into Wilton Manors, there was none that marked the fact that once you come over a bridge you are in our city,” Ulm said. “She brought that forward. It’s central to our identity here in Wilton Manors.”

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said, "We incorporate her logo more than ever."

Born Feb. 19, 1919, Rollinson was a graduate of Pratt Art Institute. She married in 1942. Two years later, her husband, 2nd Lt. Eddie Elliot Phillips, was flying on his 27th mission to Germany during World War II when his plane was shot down. He was killed.

In 1946, Rollinson married Dudley Richard Rollinson; they lived in Long Island. By 1954 she was a widow again with three children and a fourth on the way. She lived with her parents for a while and took a train to scope out South Florida.

Then, at age 35, she learned how to drive, loaded up her kids and mother and drove to Florida.

She bought her home in Wilton Manors in 1956, working in the advertising department of Britts department store for 19 years.

Her daughter, Leigh Greco, said her mother was always proud of the Wilton Manors contest. “She was part of the city’s history,” Greco said. “She was an amazing mother, the most unselfish person I have ever known.”

In addition to Greco, of Naples, Rollinson is survived by son Grif Rollinson, of Wilton Manors, and daughters Wendy Rollinson and Tracy Mello, both of Fort Lauderdale; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday.

COURTESY PHOTO Norma Hilda Rollinson, a longtime Wilton Manors resident, won a contest with her ‘island city’ nickname for the town.