Rose Wilcox

Rose Marie (Smollen) Wilcox, 90, of Cayuga Ridge Facility, Ithaca, NY, formally of Long View, Ithaca, NY and Geneva, NY, went to be with her lord, with her family by her side, on Monday, March 10, 2014. Born August 23, 1923 in Trumansburg, NY, Rose was the youngest of three daughters born to the late Esther Weeks Smollen. She attended Trumansburg high school until she met the love of her life La Verne “Coxie” Wilcox. They married in 1939 and raised their three children, Kenneth, La Verne “Tootsie” and Nancy in Ithaca, until they moved in 1961 to their home on Seneca Lake in Geneva, NY.

Rose and Coxie were proprietors of the following Ithaca restaurants, Coxie’s Diner, Cayuga Street Diner and Gallagher’s and the Castle Coffee shop in Geneva, NY. Rose was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Geneva. She was a fantastic cook, especially her spaghetti with meatballs and lasagna. She also had a passion for crocheting afghans while watching QVC, 24/7. Her last one was made with her granddaughter Kim, at the age of 88. In addition, she loved playing Bingo and making bead necklaces.

She was preceded in death by her “mate” Coxie, of 57 years, her son, Kenneth, her grandson, Anthony Valentine, and her sisters, Madeline Covert and Doris Kuperian. She is survived by her two daughters, La Verne “Tootsie” (Edward) Gatch of Jacksonville, NY, and Nancy Valentine, of Geneva, NY and daughter-in-law, Senaida Wilcox of California, 11 grandchildren, Kimberly (Scott) Salino of Trumansburg, Timothy (Deborah) Gatch and James (Melissa) Gatch of Jacksonville, NY, Carmen Wilcox and Rose (Alex) Vargas of California, Sharon Wilcox of Arizona, Manuel & Robert Ortega of California, Kandy Valentine and Michael Valentine of Florida, 12 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Sarah, Nathan, Amanda, Alex, Elliot, Keb, Alex, Victoria, Benjamin, Sofia & Gianna, 3 great-great grandchildren, Rylee, Avery & Brayden, a special nephew Max Smollen, and several nieces and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 12:00 to 1:00pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg, NY. A Memorial Service will immediately follow at the funeral home at 1:00pm. Spring interment services will be in the Trumansburg Grove Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rose’s memory may be made to Hospicare of Tompkins County, or a charity of your choice.