Eleanor Wilcox, 85, of Singer Island, Florida, died Aug. 22, 2023, in Florida. She was born in Irvington and lived in Manalapan (20 years) and Middletown (34 years) before moving to Florida.
Eleanor worked as a secretary at Naval Weapons Station Earle where she met Russell Wilcox. The two were married Aug. 24, 1957. She then went on to work as a bookkeeper for Buck Smith’s in Middletown, her family’s business. After her children were grown, Eleanor went back to work in the customer service department at Sealfons. Eleanor enjoyed water aerobics, playing cards, her daily walks, playing golf and tennis, and was an avid reader.
Surviving are her two daughters, Maureen and her husband Bruce Costic, and Joanne VanSise and her partner Charlie Gruff; son Russell Wilcox Jr.; four grandchildren, Megan (Joseph) Onorato, Jennifer (Brian) Scott, Sarah (Phil) VanSise, and Christopher VanSise; and her great-grandchildren, Austin, Nicholas, McKenzie, Joseph, William, Jake and Ophelia.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Catherine Smith, and by her husband Russell E. Wilcox Sr.
Visitation was held Aug. 27 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy was offered Aug. 28 at at Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Eleanor’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
This article originally appeared in the August 31 – September 6, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
