Libby Ann Wilcox

Libby Ann Wilcox passed away on September 18, 2026, at the age of 71, following a brief and courageous battle with an aggressive form of leukemia. Throughout her last days, she was surrounded by family and friends. When she took her final breath, her cherished husband, Jim—her partner in life for nearly 49 years and her husband for 39—was at her side. Libby will be remembered for the extraordinary love she gave so freely to her family, her lifelong friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. She had a rare gift for making every person she encountered feel seen and valued. Her warmth was genuine, her laughter infectious, and her beautiful singing voice could fill a room. To be loved by Libby was to know that you mattered.

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1954, to the late Theodore Waite and Leona Raffin, Libby grew up alongside her siblings, Suzanne, Wendy, Teddy, Frank, and David, with whom she shared a close and enduring bond. She shared an especially tender relationship with her father, who affectionately called her his “Libby Lamb.” He was a constant and deeply influential presence in her life, and the love they shared helped shape her devotion to family. Libby attended St. James School and was a member of the Mary D. Bradford High School Class of 1972. During those years, she discovered her first love of music and performance through drum corps. She marched with the Kenosha Squires, the Kenosha Queensmen, and the Racine Scout Drum and Bugle Corps. She often spoke fondly of the music and camaraderie she experienced during that time.

The year 1972 also brought the birth of her first child, Melissa. Her son Michael followed in 1976. As a young single mother raising two children, Libby carried enormous responsibility and made countless sacrifices to give them a home grounded in love. During those years, Libby began a fulfilling career in medical records. She served as Medical Records Director at Racine Medical Clinic and later worked at Ascension All Saints and Lakeland Hospital in Elkhorn. Throughout her approximately 30-year career, colleagues became treasured friends, and many of those relationships endured for the rest of her life.

In the summer of 1979, Libby met James “Jim” Wilcox. They bonded over their shared passion for music and dancing and a wonderfully matched sense of humor. Their relationship was filled with teasing, private jokes, and funny but endearing names for one another. Laughter became one of the languages of their nearly 49-year love story. Libby and Jim were married on Valentine’s Day 1987 in a beautiful celebration filled with music, sparkle, and champaign fountains—an occasion unmistakably suited to Libby. In 1992, they welcomed their son Dylan. Through every season that followed, Jim remained Libby’s steadfast partner, closest companion, and the great love of her life. Their marriage was not only a bond between husband and wife, but a deep friendship and a life shared fully and faithfully. Retirement gave Libby the freedom to return to the music and performance she had loved since childhood. What began as a fondness for karaoke grew into Cork n’ Classics, a musical partnership that brought Libby and Jim tremendous delight. They both sang, Jim played the bongo drums, and several other performers joined them over the years. Together they performed at private gatherings and community events, including regular appearances at Milaeger’s and several memorable summers at the Racine County Fair. Yet the nursing homes held a special place in Libby’s heart. Singing for the residents brought her the greatest happiness. For Libby, music was never only about being heard; it was another way to make people feel remembered and loved. In 2020, Libby and Jim took Cork n’ Classics on the road for what they affectionately called their “RV Tour.” For three years, they traveled across the country, visiting friends and family and performing along the way. When their time on the road ended, they spent their winters in Florida and returned home to Wisconsin for the summers. Wherever they went, they built community and found people to love.

Above all, Libby treasured time spent with her family, including her three children and four grandchildren. To Andrew, Anna, Emma, and Sara, she was affectionately—and fittingly— known as “Glamaw,” a name that captured the signature sparkle she brought into their lives. Libby was the heart of family gatherings and the keeper of cherished traditions. She made holidays feel magical, especially Christmas. She loved Christmas movies, particularly White Christmas, and put extraordinary thought into every gift she chose—nearly always adding a little bling. Her family will remember late-night trips to the movie theater on Thanksgiving and holiday tables filled with favorite dishes, including Libby’s taco dip, cheese potatoes, and Ho-Ho cake. She was always ready with thoughtful advice and a listening ear. Her children and grandchildren knew they could turn to her and be met with honesty and unconditional love. She did not simply tell her family how deeply she loved them; she made certain they felt it. Libby treasured friendships that lasted across decades, and her friends became part of her family. She also found great comfort in the companionship of her beloved “Marley puppy.” Her love will forever remain in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, the traditions she created, and the music she shared. Her laughter, her voice, and her unmistakable sparkle will live on in every person fortunate enough to have been loved by her.

Libby is survived by her devoted husband, James “Jim” B. Wilcox; her children, Melissa (Iyan) Alfredson, Michael Klimowicz, and Dylan Wilcox; and her grandchildren, Andrew Alfredson, Anna Alfredson, Emma Alfredson, and Sara Alfredson. She is also survived by her siblings, Suzanne Waite, Wendy Waite, Frank (Anne) Waite, and David (Rose) Waite; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Kathleen (Dean) Tajnai, David (Sevi) Wilcox, and Diane Feivor; her beloved Marley puppy; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, lifelong friends, and all whose lives were made brighter by knowing her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore Waite and Leona Raffin; her brother, Theodore “Teddy” Waite Jr.; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Florence and James Wilcox; and her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael Wilcox, Gregory Feivor, and Suzanne Wilcox.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main Street, Racine. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. A reception celebrating Libby’s life will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Infusino’s Banquet Hall. All who knew and loved Libby are welcome to attend.

The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/meredithfuneralhome/

The family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made through Libby’s GoFundMe page to help defray her final medical expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-libbys-fight-against-acute-myeloid-leukemia. Flowers are also appreciated.