IN MEMORIAM: Melissa Wilcox, 57;

Cancer Survivor Worked For County

WORCESTER – Melissa L. Wilcox, 57, a cancer-survivor who worked in the Otsego County Treasurer’s Office, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at Fox Hospital.

She was born on Oct. 1, 1961, in Cobleskill, the daughter of Charles (Grace) Warner and Barbara (Wilfred) Howell. Lisa married Clyde F Wilcox on Aug.  27, 1983 at the East Worcester United Methodist Church.

She worked at Key Bank for 15 years, then at Otsego Manor and finallly at the county treasurer’s office.

Lisa was a member of the East Worcester United Methodist Church and served as the treasurer.

She was a person who you could always count on for anything and who many considered a dear friend and one of the most “nicest, kindest, strongest person that they knew.”

She was cancer-free for just under 11 years and overcame many hurdles in her recovery.

She loved her family and friends very much and enjoyed camping, gardening, and all of her animals. One of her things on her “bucket list” was to visit the Grand Canyon, and she was able to do so last year with her husband, they had an amazing time and she had many other things on her to do list.

Upon her “retirement” she enjoyed spending countless hours with her family. She would attend her grandson Christian’s soccer games and go to his robotics competitions. She loved going to watch her granddaughter Bailey compete in her winter guard competitions, soccer games, and softball games. Her granddaughter Amelia made her laugh with all of her antics and her “I am cute so you can’t yell at me face” that she would do.

She also babysat her grandson Nathaniel and taught him how to play ball, and many other things. She was very involved with her granddaughter Hailey’s horseback riding and going to her vaulting competitions all over. Her grandchildren and children were her pride and joy, as she never missed any school events for her children whether it was a sporting event, concert or award ceremony.

She always said that her children were her social life and once they graduated, she did not have one until her grandchildren started back up with events.

Lisa is survived by her husband Clyde, her daughter Kristy (Greg Ford) Zabelicky; her son Jacob (Crystal) Wilcox of Mount Vision; her grandchildren, Christian, Bailey and Amelia Wilcox, Hailey Zabelicky and Nathaniel Ford; her mother Barbara Howell; her step-mother Grace Warner; her brother, Brian (Sandy Pandolf) Warner and step-sister Donna Gigandet along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

She was predeceased by her father Charles Warner in 2008, her step-father Wilfred Howell in 2018, and her step-brothers Wilfred Howell, and Jeffrey Howell.

Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, Worcester. A memorial service will be at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the East Worcester United Methodist Church, South Hill Road, with Pastor Dan Martin, officiating.

Burial will take place at the East Worcester Cemetery at a later date.

Contributions may be made in loving memory in Lisa’s honor to The East Worcester United Methodist Church, as well as to the Marathon For A Better Life Team Wings of Hope. There will be envelopes provided at the services by the family or please reach out to the family with any questions.