MADISON - Betty Josephine Wilcox, age 87, died on April 15th, 2016 from Alzheimer’s disease.

Betty was born in 1929, to Rose and Frank Warnish. She attended Saint Bernards elementary school and was a graduate of Madison East High School Class of 1946. As a teen Betty enjoyed ice skating and swimming at Tenney Park, and playing piano. She often spent her entire Saturdays at the Barrymore Theater watching one movie after the next. After high school she worked at General Casualty Insurance Company, and also dated her future husband, Glenn. They were married for 61 years until Glenn’s death in 2012.

Hard work was Betty’s pleasure; her house was kept neat and clean, and she made a comfortable home for her family. Betty presented herself beautifully as well. She was a gifted sewer, and made many of her own dresses. She also sewed outfits for her mother, and for her daughters.

Betty was very thoughtful of others, always making family birthdays special with a homemade cake, and the perfect gift, carefully wrapped. Over the years, Betty made countless flower arrangements and bouquets for friends and family on special occasions. Betty will also be remembered for her hospitality. On holidays her beautifully set table was always complimented with one of her floral compositions.

Betty enjoyed a lifetime of gardening. As a girl she planted flowers in her parent’s backyard, and then graced her own family's yard with a garden that bloomed from spring through fall. As a long-time member of the Mendota Garden Club she enjoyed taking classes and sharing tips and ideas with her fellow gardeners. She volunteered her expertise in helping to put on the Club's annual garden shows. She was awarded dozens of ribbons for her specimen flowers and arrangements. Roses were her specialty.

Music played an important role in Betty’s life. She often listened to music at home and enjoyed performances at the Civic Center or Concerts on the Square. She also appreciated classical ballet, and figure skating, following her favorite dancer’s careers. Betty herself was gifted with a lovely voice and sang in the Saint Peter’s Choir for over 35 years. She joyfully joined in during the sing-alongs at Homestead Living where she resided the last four years.

Betty was reserved but fun-loving, and relished a good laugh. She enjoyed her Itch Club, and with Glenn joined their cousins and friends in good-times playing card games. Above all else, she was a Mother and enjoyed time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. She always had her camera in hand, ready to capture these special moments as well as those while traveling with Glenn.

Betty aged gracefully, enduring her disease with dignity. Whenever anyone asked her how she felt, she replied “Good.”

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, her stillborn baby and her daughter Corinne Ann. Her strong Catholic faith saw her through these difficult times.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters; Linda (Steve) Parr of Lakeville, MN, Mary Kay (Richard) Kirsner of Des Moines, IA and Rosemarie (Dell) Kubler of Cumming, GA; her grandchildren Kristin (Ryan) Basballe, Brandon (Katy) Parr, Ethan and Eva Rose Kubler and Elizabeth Kirsner, and her great grandchildren, Owen, Wesley and Gwen Basballe, and Oliver Parr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 18, 2016, at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 North Sherman Avenue, Madison, with Msgr. Charles Schluter presiding. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of Mass on Monday at the church. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date.

We are forever grateful to the dedicated staff at Homestead Living who lovingly cared for Betty over the years, and to Agrace Hospice nurses for their attentive palliative care. Donations can be designated in Betty’s memory to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Homestead Living.

Betty Wilcox

March 05, 1929 - April 15, 2016

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