Elizabeth Wilcox, Community Volunteer, 49

Elizabeth Wilcox, a 49-year resident of Westfield, passed away on Dec. 1, 2012 at her home in Westfield, MA with her family by her side.

A women of profound faith and caring, she gave her time, effort, and love to her family, her church, her friends, and those in her community who most needed her help.

Born in Jamaica, Queens County and raised in New Hyde Park, Wilcox worked in publishing in New York City before coming to Westfield in 1963 to begin a family and build a home with her husband of 49 years, Scott Wilcox.

After raising her three young children, she worked for many years at the Westfield Area Mental Health Clinic, followed by more than 10 years in the St. Mary Parish Office of Religious Education.

She was a tireless volunteer for both church and community organizations throughout her life including the Westfield Jaycee-ettes, St. Mary School PTO, the Westfield soup kitchen, the St. Mary Rosary Sodality, and the Westfield Council for the Aging – spending countless hours visiting with and offering her help and friendship to the elderly.

An active member of St. Mary Parish for more than 45 years, Wilcox was a long-time Eucharistic minister and was instrumental in maintaining the St. Mary Prayer Line.

She is survived by her husband, Scott of Westfield, daughter and son-in-law Laura and Paul Fisher of Westfield, her son Will Wilcox and his partner Geoff Dillard of Seattle, Washington, her son and daughter-in-law Bob and Cheryl Wilcox of Westfield, and 11 grandchildren – Gray and Hayden Fisher of Westfield, Madeline, Benjamin and Phoebe Wilcox of Seattle, and Matthew, Joseph, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah and Mary of Westfield.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, December 6, from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield, MA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to St. Mary Parish 28 Bartlett St. Westfield, MA 01085, or the Sarah Gillette Foundation, PO Box 1871, Westfield, MA , 01086.