Kaye Jean Wilcox, 87, of Northport, Mich., passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in her home, lovingly surrounded by family. Kaye Jean was born February 27, 1937, in Traverse City, Mich., to Clyde and Eleanor Drohen Leighton.
On September 1, 1956, she married her college sweetheart, Don Wilcox, beginning a beautiful life partnership that spanned 67 years until his passing May 27, 2024. They started married life in Ann Arbor, Mich. while still in college. After graduating, they moved to California, where all four children were born. They lived in Morgantown after a brief stint in Wichita, Kans. Summers were always spent in Northport, Mich., where they have lived since retirement. Kaye Jean was happiest when she could see the water.
As a registered nurse, she chose obstetrics as her happy place in the hospital. She found joy in helping new mothers and their babies get off to a great start.
Kaye Jean’s priority was unmistakably her family. She spent a lifetime using her nursing skills to nurture and help those she loved.
Kaye Jean was the ultimate “baby whisperer.” Foster babies were a common sight at the Wilcox house for many years. Any young mother knew that if you brought your baby to Kaye Jean, she would help you, encourage you, and bolster your confidence (while putting your baby to sleep.) She modeled a parenting style based on non-judgmental, encouraging, and unconditional love.
Through Don’s career with college students, Kaye Jean “mothered” a multitude of young adults, many of whom were away from home for the first time. While she may have been on a band trip as the nurse, her gift was her ability to adopt and support homesick students in need of a mom’s touch. Wherever she went, people connected with her. If you sat with her, you would want to share your life story, and people often did. She loved people and found everyone to be interesting. She was very invested in helping people find common interests and make connections with others. She was kind, generous, compassionate, loving, and everlastingly forgiving.
Kaye Jean was fiercely loyal and supportive, feeling no need to be front and center. She unwaveringly supported Don in his career, focused on helping him achieve his professional dreams. She raised four kids, the ever-present volunteer. Everyone knew that she was a phone call away and never hesitated to drop what she was doing to help. Distance was no barrier; she went where she was needed, across or out of the country if necessary. She took huge satisfaction in watching her children and grandchildren grow into themselves, fostering an environment of unconditional acceptance and enthusiasm. Her warm smile and loving presence will be missed by more people than she could have ever imagined.
Kaye Jean is survived by daughters: Laurey (Dan) Richmond of Frederick, Md.; Lisa (Kevin) Hughes of Cincinnati, Ohio; Lynelle (Darin) Wilcox-Irvine of Northport, Mich.; son, Lee (Michele) Wilcox of Morgantown; brothers, Galen (Linda) Leighton of Northport, and Gary (Caryn) Leighton of Northport; sister-in-law, Vicki (Roger) Zobisch Cundiff of Alexandria, Va.; grandchildren: Marc (Sophie) Richmond of Frederick; Cathryn Richmond of Burlington, N.J.; Brian (Steph) Hughes of Columbus, Ohio; Shane Hughes of New York City, N.Y.; Kelsey Hughes of Minneapolis, Minn.; Alex Thelander of Suttons Bay, Mich.; Liam Thelander of Suttons Bay; McGuire (Erica) Irvine of Albuquerque, N.M.; Owen Irvine of Northport; Trevor Wilcox of Morgantown; Alexis Wilcox of Woodbridge, Va.; Chase Wilcox of Morgantown; great-granddaughter, Maeve Leighton Hughes of Columbus; cousin, Lynda Herkner, of Traverse City; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Kaye Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Eleanor Leighton; and her beloved husband, Don Wilcox.
On Saturday, November 30, a Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. followed by a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. in Trinity Church, 103 N. Warren Street, Northport, Mich.
For those wishing to honor Kaye Jean’s memory, please consider a donation to the Leelanau Township Community Foundation at leelanaufoundation.org
Share condolences with the family at http://www.martinson.info
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau, Mich.
