Deborah A. Wilcox

Deborah Ann Wilcox (née Davis) passed away on July 30, 2025 in Brick, New Jersey. Born on November 13, 1943 to Rita and Kenny in Syracuse, New York, Deborah was the second of eight, a child with spunk who could keep up with the best. It wasn’t long before her mother and father depended on her to help care for her younger brother and sisters, developing her enduring maternal skills early on. In 1961, Debbie graduated from Cathedral High School Onondaga Circle and was hired by AT&T Long Lines as a central office clerk.   It was there that she met her future husband Kent. They were married at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in May of 1965.

In the early years of their marriage, and between the births of their three children, Kent’s work had Debbie moving to locations all around New York State, eventually landing in West Seneca, NY, a suburb of Buffalo, in 1972. With the lake effect snow piling up, Deb enjoyed getting the kids into their snowsuits and out the door, and serving up the hot chocolate on their return. In 1979, one final move had the family trading in the snowsuits for swimsuits, heading south to Howell, NJ, where they resided at #4 High Ridge Road. #4 is the place where for over 40 years Debbie entertained and made memories with family and dear friends inside and out in the pool. Many remember her delicious cinnamon rolls and homemade gingerbread houses. Debbie also worked in real estate for many years, remembered fondly for her office and Irish coffee skills! More of Debbie’s dreams came true as her children found their matches, eventually adding three wonderful grandchildren as well as two spunky grand-dogs!

When asked how she would like to be remembered, Debbie said “That’s an easy question. I would want to be remembered as a faithful and loving Christian who practiced what she preached. I would hope also when I am gone, my legacy to my family would be that I was a good and kind daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend.”

Debbie was preceded in death by infant Kent S. Wilcox, Jr. and is survived by her husband, Kent, Sr., her children Kimberly Highley and husband Stephen of Point Pleasant, NJ, Chris Wilcox and wife Ana of Santa Clarita, CA, and Patrick Wilcox and partner Mark Merriman of Manhattan, NY, grandchildren Nathan and Allie Highley and Wyatt Wilcox, granddogs Hank and Stitch, and so many extended family members she had the pleasure of loving.

A Memorial Gathering will be held Wednesday August 6, 2025 from 4:00pm -8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 2170 Hwy.88, Brick.  A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated,  11 a.m., Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the Church of Saint Martha, 3800 Herbertsville Road, Point Pleasant.  Interment will be private.