Eloise Wilcox

Eloise Wilcox CLEARFIELD – Eloise Wilcox bravely completed her long walk through life Friday, August 31, 2007. Our dear sister, aunt and friend was loved by all and her steady presence will be missed. Eloise was born in the “Old Woods Cross House” on December 4, 1924 in Clearfield, Utah, the daughter of Emery H. and Viola Pearl Walker Wilcox. The house once stood in what is now the very heart of Clearfield, that being the stop light at the bottom of Center Street and Main. Eloise saw the city grow from a dirt road, farm community into what it is today. She often remarked that she couldn’t see much of an improvement. Somewhere along the line the red-winged blackbirds disappeared and the songs of the meadowlarks fell silent. Eloise understood what it meant to be “old school.” She was an avid reader and was proud that even as a child she could read books that were supposed to be too hard for her. She attended Pioneer Elementary and was a member of the first graduating class of North Davis Jr. High. She graduated from Davis High and went on to graduate from USAC in 1950, belonging to the Phi Kappa Phi honorary society. Being raised during the great depression, Eloise learned the value of hard work. She worked alongside her father and brothers in the fields, doing everything from “tromping hay” to milking and feeding the cows, often getting out of bed at 4 a.m. to work in the cool time. Eloise decided to teach high school English in Grantsville and quickly retired after only one year. In her words “teachers are underappreciated in the cause of free education.” She recovered from this experience and worked diligently for the U.S. Postal service for the next 50 years. Eloise loved to travel and spoke fondly of her trips to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, Australia, Greece, the British Isles and the Holy Land. Nevertheless, her heart was always in Clearfield with her family. Along with her father, she lovingly provided end-of-life care for her mother, Pearl, allowing her to peacefully die at home. Eloise is revered by many for her generosity. Eloise was a member of the LDS Church and was a respected teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her life’s experience gave her knowledge and understanding that she happily shared with others. Her grammar was impeccable and those of us who know her well were frequently blessed by her persistent corrections. She is survived by her sister Cleone (Dee) Wilcken, Enoch; two brothers, Hal (Vonnie) Wilcox, Clearfield; Dean (Barbara) Wilcox, Orem. She was preceded in death by her parents and two elder brothers, Larry (Lucille) Wilcox, Roy; Melvin (Cora) Wilcox, Kenniwick, WA. The Wilcox family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Glen Biddulph, the staff of Stoney Brooke Assisted Living, and the lovely nurse named Candace who attended to Eloise during her final hours at McKay Dee Hospital. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Wednesday 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the Mortuary. Interment, Syracuse City e-mail condolences to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com