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Sandy Wilcox
June 12th, 1958 - March 9th, 2020
June 12th, 1958 - March 9th, 2020
Obituary
On Monday, March 9, 2020, Sandy Wilcox, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at age 61.
Sandra Ann Wilcox (Seals) was born on June 12, 1958 in Dayton, OH to Marilyn and Edward Seals. She received her undergraduate degree from Cedarville University where she met her husband, Randy Wilcox. Sandy and Randy were married September 10, 1983 and raised three daughters, Laura, Emily and Rachel. Her greatest joy was being a wife, a mom and a grandma.
Sandy fell in love with Whidbey Island when she married Randy, who graduated from Langley High School. They spent a portion of every summer on Sunlight Beach with their family until they moved to the Island full time in 2014. Long walks on the tide flats of Useless Bay with family and visiting friends were among her favorite past times.
Sandy’s passion was her family and the hospitable home she maintained whether living in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Connecticut or Hong Kong. She was the reason why the many moves were a blessing to her family instead of a burden. Sandy built community everywhere she settled her family, including book clubs, Bible studies and meals which usually included a guest or visitor. Everyone who knew her recognized her gift for hospitality and putting others first. She took her faith in Christ seriously and it showed in the countless ways she invested in her family and the lives of those around her.
Sandy was preceded in death by her mother Marilyn and her father Ed. She is survived by her husband Randy; three children, Laura Tanaka (Matt), Emily Wilcox and Rachel Haffey (Kevin); two grandchildren, Logan Tanaka and Levi Tanaka; brothers, Greg Seals and Danny Seals; and sister, Gina Armstrong.
(online obituary: https://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/obituaries/sandy-wilcox-june-12-1958-march-9-2020/)
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A Note From Laura:
There are no words to express how broken hearted we are to share that our sweet Mom, wife of almost 37 years to my Dad, and Grammy to my two boys, has passed away. She became suddenly ill with an unknown infection which sent her body into multi-organ failure and caused brain seizures. She spent two days in the ICU in Palm Springs, where we were staying for a family vacation. It’s difficult to accept, and comprehend, that she is gone. As one friend said, the world feels less bright without her in it.
There are so many things to say about her, and we will never be able to fully capture in words how loving, selfless, generous, and incredibly thoughtful she was. Mom was the glue for our family. She treated being a mother as a job in the best way possible and was devoted to us as kids through every crazy life change (moving across the country and the world), but she was also there for the little, seemingly insignificant moments of everyday life. She loved us deeply, and we grew up knowing that every day. What a gift.
We experienced so much love in our home, and a big part of that is because she put her marriage first. I truly never doubted for one moment of my life that she loved my Dad and trusted and respected him fully. I remember being annoyed with how she always sided with him in an argument, when it seemed clear to me that they were both wrong (ha). Of course now as a parent myself I can see more fully the extraordinary partnership they worked hard to establish. What a gift.
But she was also an incredible friend to so many - both right at home and around the world. She constantly put others before herself, and of course underestimated her own impact on the lives of others. Mom was one in a million. The texts, emails, and calls we have received remembering her have been overwhelming because they include details of the decades she spent caring for others. What a gift.
All of this poured out of a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. She was the least preach-y person ever, and judgment was simply not her way. Therefore many people felt comfortable and safe opening up to Mom, from her close friends to the woman doing her nails, or our own friends that were always welcome at our house. She shared the love of God easily and naturally. What a gift.
We spent three amazing days as a family at Disneyland before she got sick. She was delighted to be there with the whole family, and our time together was so joyful. It is a blessing that we were so intentional about taking pictures during this trip. Mom told us she wanted to use a big group photo for our family Christmas card this year. She looks beautiful in these photos and so happy and content that we were all together. What a gift.
We will share more details about how we will be remembering and celebrating Mom soon. Thank you to so many of you for reaching out. Your support and words mean the world to us girls and my Dad, even if we are not able to respond at this time.
- Laura
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A Note From Emily
Cherished friends and family – it is with an extremely heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my mom, Sandy. She passed away in the early hours of Sunday, March 8th. We were together with her at the time, although she was unresponsive. A sudden illness overtook her body, and she was not able to recover in the hospital. It has been a blessing in disguise for my sisters and my dad to spend the last few days after her death together in Palm Springs at the end of our family vacation. We have not come to terms yet with this sudden departure – I feel like I am living in a bad dream. She was a fiercely loving and supportive wife, mother, sister and friend. Her impact on others can’t be fully conveyed. We will be having a service for mom in the coming weeks on Whidbey Island. Whether or not you knew my mom, or just knew me, please know that your support and love is so appreciated. Please do not hesitate to reach out, even if I do not respond right away.
- Emily
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A Note From Rachel
My dear sweet mom, you are so loved. To my friends and family – thank you for the support and love you are giving as I grieve my mom’s unexpected passing. A few days ago, we were all enjoying family time on vacation in California. My mom suddenly became very sick with an unknown illness leading to multi-system organ failure and brain seizures that her body could not recover from. I’m struggling to find the words to express how I am feeling. My sister, Laura, the more talented writer of the family wrote a tribute about mom that is a beautiful reflection of some of the ways my mom blessed our family and those around her. She was a loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. Mom, you were truly a joy to others and are missed dearly. >3
- Rachel
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A Note From Randy
Our family has not only been blessed by a wonderful mother and wife but we are now being blessed by the memories that many of you have shared. We truly appreciate it.
The shock of losing Sandy is still fresh and I am sure it will be some time before the memories are not bittersweet. Still, I know Sandy was an extraordinary blessing to me and our family and that one day the dull sadness will be replaced by gratefulness.
It is very hard to be thankful for any of the circumstances of the last two weeks. Despite this, having our family together when Sandy became suddenly sick was a gift. The current virus restrictions have added a surreal backdrop to processing our loss, but it has also kept most of our family on Whidbey Island as we shelter at home together on the beach and do what we must remotely. There is nothing like the chaos of a 3year old and a 3month old to bring a welcome distraction.
We have included information on how to make a gift in Sandy’s memory for those of you would like to do so. The Lion King Orphanage is run by friends of ours in northern Bali. They have 40 children from preschool through college. Lion King is a bright spot in an area where poverty is often forgotten as the world enjoys the island’s cultural uniqueness and natural beauty. Sandy was a big supporter and also a bright spot for the children during our visits.
- Randy
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Additional Lion King Donation Information
Online gifts can be made by clicking the In Memorium Donoation link in the section below.
DAF donations can be made to National Christian Foundation (Tax ID: 58-1493949) for the The Wilcox Family Fund, Fund #2668062
Supporters can also send physical checks to the attention of:
Beverly BepplerNational Christian Foundation NorthwestMarket Place Tower, Penthouse A 2025 First Avenue Seattle, WA 98121-3125
Put the fund number or “Sandy Wilcox memorial” in the memo line.
Create an event page to coordinate a gathering in honor of Sandy
Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Sandy’s life with a heartfelt message.
Karen And Doug Leland
Thinking of Sandy and the family today, one year post her passing. Loved her so much. Big hug to all of the family.
Jan Mueller
Sandy's Remembrance: Memories and Insights Gained from the Blessed Friendship of a Most Precious Friend A deep privilege it has been to have known our dear friend Sandy for the many years I did. So many thoughts run through my mind and heart that I have found it a challenge to clearly set forth in writing what an incredibly special person and friend she was…. words which are deeply felt. Sandy and I met sometime around 2000, when Randy’s work brought the Wilcox family to Redmond. Our girls met at the Bear Creek School, the school our children were attending at that time and found themselves becoming fast friends. Two of our girls were the same age as Laura and Rachel. Laura, and our daughter, Kathryn, became fast friends as did Rachel and Christianna. Sandy and I found ourselves blessed to be becoming friends as well. After the Wilcox’s moved back to the East Coast we still kept in touch, but when they finally made their home on Sunlight Beach Drive on Whidbey Island, special times of friendship encouraged our lives. My heart can’t adequately summon the words to honor dear Sandy in the way she lived her life. Such a blessing her faithful friendship was to me in so many exceptional ways and to many others of her friends as well. I used to think that it was because our birthdays were only 2 days apart (although I was older by several years!) Several times when we had the delight of a multi-day visit, she loved to share with me the beauty of God’s love and grace that filled her heart. She had an amazing collection of special movies that had impacted her deeply. She would bring out a movie for us to watch, always one that she appreciated watching, because she wanted to share the deep spiritual truths about life, truths that had deeply touched her. She was delighted to share those with me. It was just one of the many ways she attempted to connect with those whom she cared about. A clearer understanding of Christ’s loving faithfulness, as evidenced in the themes and even the plots of those very films which portrayed special gems of truth, blessed my heart and life deeply. I tend not to be a person who leans toward tears and lachrymose feelings, but Sandy’s special heart of caring and her deep desire to encourage others in ways she had been touched were always present. When those special times presented themselves, she seemed to be on pins and needles with extremely caring enthusiasm to share a truth, a kindness, a word from the Lord that would speak forth to come bless others as it had to her. Hers was a friendship of blessing. Her life energy and deep insights about the ways God works in people, in relationships, always bloomed radiantly in the wonderful times spent together. For me it was an ever-present privilege. On the last evening I spent with Sandy, December 30, 2019, she was somewhat challenged by her health issues. However, she was just as she always was, offering a lovely evening eating out, sharing together the aspects of life’s glories and struggles honestly, and rejoicing with me together in God’s incredible faithfulness and love. May the Lord bless you and keep you, dear Sandy, as you are held in the arms of His loving-kindness and grace. Your life and friendship will always be remembered in my heart as a most blessed gift from our Lord. Most lovingly, dear Sandy, Jan Jan Mueller
Melanie Rish
I know I'm late to this, but I'm thinking of Sandy this mothers day. She has been a motherly figure in my life for as long as I can remember. I have always known, perhaps taken for granted that she was rooting me, loving me, praying for me, like a member of my own family would. I have many memories of Sandy. Of our families together in the Philippines and Hong Kong and on Whidbey. I have memories of dim sum at the Great Eagle Center every week, of Rachel and I baking ginger sparkler cookies to The Newsboys, of girls shopping days at the mall and all of us crammed into one car, of Delilah and giant swirl cones on the ferry at night. In most of my memories, Sandy was not the star or the center of attention. In fact when I look through photos I have a hard time finding any of her. It’s occurred to me recently that this is because she was always on the sidelines, quietly loving someone. She was the one who had brewed the hot coffee in my mug, the one who had stocked the freezer with the taquitos we dug out when we were hungry. She was the kind statement at the end of the rowdy conversation, the gentle reminder to be grateful, the voicemail that says to “be a blessing today!” The one who happens to be awake at 1am to pray with you when you can’t sleep during a sleepover. I’m sad. But the thing I feel most is blessed. To have known her and been loved by her. That our families are so close. That I have nothing but sweet memories. And that the world not only was but is a better place because she was in it. Sandy really does make me want to be a blessing today, and every day. I can't think of a simpler, more valuable sentiment to leave behind than that. I will do my best.
Leslie And Mark Behrends
June 12th, Sandy’s birthday, was a regular connection time for us. Just like Sandy, each year after receiving my birthday card she would right me a note expressing joy and appreciation for my birthday card. Today, I remember fondly and warmly the kind, thoughtful, appreciative and responsive friend that Sandy was to us! We are celebrating her today!
Nadine
Dearest Sandy, I’ve been so blessed having you as my sister in law for the last, almost 33 years. From Day 1, all I can ever remember about you is how you lived life out in CONSISTENT godliness. I will always remember you as a warm, caring, loving, kind, faithful, generous, hospitable person. In my eyes, you epitomize a godly woman who bore good fruit in ALL of your ways. Truly a remarkable person, not only beautiful on the outside, but a beautiful soul as well. You were always kind with your words, always generous with grace, always found beauty in others. How blessed I am to have known you and been sisters with you.
Karen Reiber
I have known Sandy since I was 15 years old. I was new to the area and didn't know anybody the first day of school. She was never without a smile and a kind word. She was without a doubt one of the kindest people I ever had the privilege to know. I have many cherished memories with her throughout the years. And even when she moved away and we were out of touch for awhile, we would always reconnect and could pick up where we left off, as though we had seen each other the day before. She definitely left her mark on this world and we are poorer for her passing. It still doesn't seem real that she is not here to send me letters and for us to meet up at a restaurant when she was in town. She was an absolutely lovely person and my heart aches that I cannot talk to her again until we meet up in Heaven. God bless her family.
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