Lucille Chapman Wilcox passed away peacefully on Friday, December 15, 2006. Lucille was born May 26, 1927, in Rigby, Idaho, the third of six children to James G. and Nellie Lucretia DeLand Chapman.
Lucille spent her early years in Rigby living near her close cousins and friends. The events of the Great Depression took the Chapmans and their extended family to Washington, where her father found work opportunities building the Bonneville Dam. Lucille spent her summers working and saving money for her education. Her attitude toward achievement was passed on to her children; she encouraged them to accomplish much and was always proud of them.
Lucille graduated from high school in Washougal, Wash., and later moved to Salt Lake City, where she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. In Salt Lake City, she worked her way through nurses training by specialing patients, particularly children and those with polio. Lucille graduated from the University of Utah with her Registered Nurses degree. She returned to the Rigby area, where she earned money for her mission in 1949 to the New England States Mission. Her mother passed away while Lucille was on her mission. James later married Gladys Kinghorn Chapman, who was Grandma to all of the family. Lucille returned to the New England area 50 years later with her children for the dedication of the Boston Temple.
Lucille married her sweetheart of 53 years, John O. Wilcox, in the Idaho Falls Temple June 26, 1953. Their years were filled with many memorable times.
As a Registered Nurse in Rexburg, Lucille was busy assisting numerous doctors at the Idaho Falls Hospital, Madison Memorial and the Rexburg Medical Center, where she worked with many of her colleagues for over 40 years. Lucille was very organized, always making time for her growing family, her many dear friends, her various callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her hobbies, and her almost daily bike ride to the college gardens.
Lucille's excellent cooking was known by everyone with too many specialties to list. She was very creative and always working on some type of service project. She was good at anything she put her mind to, teaching herself calligraphy and candy making. One of our fondest memories is Grandma's elaborate gingerbread houses. She was especially talented in the art of cake decorating and sewing, showering her gifts on friends and family.
Lucille and John housed and helped many college students and relatives when all of their children were grown. She developed many long-
lasting friendships, with a visit to friends in Japan being one of the highlights of her life. Lucille was also known for
her lifelong correspondence with dear friends, and the many letters filled her days with happiness.
Lucille suffered a stroke which greatly affected her in the last 15 years of her life. Through determination and the help of her devoted husband, family and friends, Lucille was able to enjoy those years. Though she had hard days, she still shared her smile with all. Her greatest happiness was found spending time with her six children, 24 grand-children and three great-grandchildren. She often traveled with her children and loved ones, attending important family events.
Lucille is survived by her husband, John O. Wilcox "Grumps;" sister, DeAnna (Darwin) Dinsdale of Rigby; brother, Keith (Shirlene) Chapman of Melbourne, Fla.; her children, Janell Spencer of Rexburg, John B. (Diane) Wilcox of Layton, Utah, J'Lene (Rich) Ward of Idaho Falls, Blaine D. (Leslie) Wilcox of Winton, Calif., Shauna (Garth) Storer of Milo; and Bruce J. (Paula) Wilcox of Payson, Utah. Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; in childhood by her six-year-old sister, Elaine; infant brother, Richard; and later by brother, Wayne.
We would like to thank all who have helped our beloved Mother. She was a sweet, loving and caring person to all who knew her, always helping those in need. Mother always felt you should give people flowers while they were alive and could appreciate them. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate, in her name, to the Primary Children's Medical Center, (801) 662-5958.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at Rexburg LDS Stake Center, 590 Summerwood Dr. in the Rexburg with Bishop Terry Wilcox officiating. The family will meet with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Flamm Funeral Home, 61 North 1st East in Rexburg, and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Friday before services at the church. Interment will be at the Sutton Cemetery in Archer.
Family Tribute