Maiju (Marja-Liisa) Wilson, 84, of Springfield, VA passed away peacefully on May 29,2026 at Inova Fairfax Hospital following an intracranial hemorrhage and a long battle with dementia. Maiju was born in Pori, Finland on May 18, 1942, to Eeva and Reino Koskinen. She was their first child and had one brother, Kauko Koskinen. Maiju attended high school and college in Pori. After working in Finland and Germany, Maiju moved to the United States in October 1966. She lived in Rosslyn, VA and worked at Georgetown University’s Graduate School of Foreign Service. 

She met her future husband, Richard Wilson, at a party in July 1970 and they were married in Finland on October 2, 1971. They first lived in Arlington, VA and bought their home in Springfield, VA in December 1974, where they have lived ever since. Over the years, Maiju masterfully decorated and hosted legendary New Years Eve parties in the home.

Maiju retained her Finnish citizenship when she became a US citizen in 1984. She was a very active member of Finn Spark, a Finnish social and charitable club, and for many years served as their President. Hundreds of people attended their annual Christmas Bazaar that raised funds for various charities in Finland and the US. In December 2013 the President of Finland awarded Maiju the “Order of the White Rose of Finland” medal for her work promoting Finland in the USA.

Maiju enjoyed gardening, music (especially opera), traveling, and reading among many other creative pursuits. She hosted Finn Spark members in her home to create beautiful crafts for sale at their Christmas Bazaar. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eeva and Reino, and her brother Kauko. Maiju is survived by her husband, Richard, and her daughter, Kristiina, of Middlebury, CT.

At her request, Maiju will be cremated and there will not be a funeral service.

Contributions in her memory may be directed to Finn Spark

(finnsparktreasurer@gmail.com).