Edna Macias Wilcox

Edna Macias Wilcox journeyed home when she passed through the veil on the morning of December 17, 2023, less than a year after her beloved husband Duane. It was the longest 11 and a half months of her life. Now it's her turn.

She was born as Edna Elvira Macias on November 26, 1936, in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, the sixth child of Maria de Jesus Mayora and Miguel Humberto Macias. She had a happy and privileged childhood with her brothers as her playmates and her older sisters doting on her. She loved to meet new people and made friends with those of all ages, young and old, of all colors; a gift she would have all her life.

When Edna was a teenager, she desired to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the faith of her Godparents. She petitioned her father for permission to join the church, and it was finally granted after much persistence on her part. In 1956 she served a mission in the Central American Mission for 18 months.

One of her desires was to marry a gringo like her Godmother Carmen O'Donnal. After her mission she ended up making her way to the United States in late fall of 1958 to attend Brigham Young University. There she met Duane Wilcox, one of 12 roommates living in a place nicknamed 'The House of Israel'. She was smitten when she saw him in his Air Force uniform for the first time. Although she said her plans were to get an education and that she was in no hurry to get married, they were engaged on New Year's Eve and married six months later on June 26, 1959.

Two daughters quickly joined the family in Utah while Duane finished his education and taught school for a time. When Duane joined the US Foreign Service, the family relocated to Ecuador, then Bolivia, where their first son was born. Those years in South America are where Edna really shined. The diplomatic work involved entertaining dignitaries. This meant evenings of dressing up, dancing, and hosting dinners. Hard work for some, but not for Edna. At the end of the assignment Duane and Edna moved their little family back to Utah and eventually settled into a house in Granger where their family was complete with the addition of a second son.

Edna was very resourceful and hard-working as a young mother. Field trips to historic sites and family vacations are among the good memories we have of her. During our growing up years, there was always room at the table and in the house for anyone who needed it. Foster children, family, cousins, friends, friends of friends; these were all welcomed in and taken care of by Edna. She was not afraid to speak her mind. She was generous to others. She loved to attend or host a party anytime. No crowd too big, no single person too small. She always cared about her appearance and loved bright colors, jewelry, and nice clothes.

She worked at various jobs through the years including in the Real Estate Licensing Division for the State of Utah.

In their later years, Duane and Edna served as workers in the Jordan River Temple, a temple mission in the Uruguay Temple, and as Conference Center hosts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Wilcox, a stillborn son, her parents, three brothers and one sister. She is survived by four children. Margaret (Rory Jon) Jackson of Taylorsville, Utah, Lucy (Terrence) Bride of Ogden, Utah, James Wilcox (Shawna Butterfield) of Draper, Utah, and Michael (Melinda) Wilcox of Kearns, Utah, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters and one brother.

The family would like to give special thanks Summit Senior Living who gave such tender care to Edna in her last few months. Also, gratitude goes to Michael and Melinda Wilcox who so generously and kindly opened their home years ago to our parents when their health started declining.

Services will be held under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home. The viewing will be held Friday, December 23, 2023, 6-8PM at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 So. Redwood Rd. Taylorsville, Utah.

Funeral service will be Saturday, 11:00AM, with a viewing from 10:00-10:45AM at the Sun Ridge Ward LDS church building located at 5422 Sarah Jane Dr., Kearns, Utah, 84118. Interment at Farmington City Cemetery.

Those wishing to livestream the service may do so at the following link:  https://zoom.us/j/96076316733#success