Mary M. Wilcox
Mary Maureen Wilcox, age 75, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Graveside Service will begin at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mary was loved by many. She was witty, opinionated, silly, outspoken, and feisty. And though she had a lot of opinions, she was always willing to learn, grow from her children and grandchildren, grow and change. Her determination to love and be loved was far more important to her than any of her opinions.
Mary wouldn't let anything stop her. Ever. She raised two kids alone. Survived the deaths of two husbands and a child and managed to keep going. In 2020, she fearlessly moved to South Dakota, a place she had hardly ever even visited, and thrived here. She embraced her neighborhood and made a point of getting to know all of her neighbors as quickly as possible. She threw herself into the life of her church as if she had been there forever. She worked in her garden even though that was way too much hard labor for someone in her physical condition. She refused to use her assistive mobility devices, much to her loved ones’ dismay, because she thought they made her seem old. There was always something to do in her house. Sometimes she would ask her granddaughters for help, sometimes she'd ask her daughter or son in law for help. Who she chose depended more on whose company she wanted than the task at hand. We suspect that most of the time these “little projects I need help with” were really just excuses to get us over to her house. They almost always involved a meal, some hockey highlights, and repeated requests to sit down and not wear ourselves out. Because the thing she loved above all else was her family (primarily her grandkids but her daughter was definitely, probably, in her top five). Other times she would just do the chores herself, like the stubborn woman she is. She spent her last few years sharing stories, recipes, time, and laughter. She worked in her garden, fed her critters, traveled, and became a substitute grammy for multiple foster kids. The last month of her life was surrounded by those who love her most. Her daughter and her grandchildren. Ultimately she was ready to be with her husband and son and all of her friends, and most importantly, God. And while we will miss her terribly, it brings us great joy to have loved her so much.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Sandra (Alex) Axiotis of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Madeline Pickard of Sioux Falls, Lilyka (Miche’le Culp-Alston) Pickard of Sioux Falls, Ava Pickard of Sioux Falls, and Kaidyn Franklin-Axiotis; sisters, Kathleen Schneider of Ellicott City, MD, Deborah (Rick) Dorgan of Daphne, AL, and Michele (Eric) Mattson of Willow Spring, NC; and many dear relatives and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husbands, Mack Wilcox and David Barrett; son, William Emory Branam; parents, Emory and Elizabeth (New) Day; and sister, Cheryl Ann Rose.