Helen Diane Cox

Born Helen “Diane” Wilcock, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandma and friend, age 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 1, 2024. 

Diane was born June 26, 1943 to Usher and Helen Wilcock in North Creek Utah. Her father was deployed at the time of her birth, so she and her mother lived with her grandparents. Upon his return from the Army, the family moved to Milford where Diane grew up with 2 loving sisters Sandra and Brenda. 

She attended Milford High School where she met the love of her life, James Henry Cox. They were married November 14, 1959 in the St. George Temple. Diane and James raised their children in railroad towns across the US including Milford UT, Kansas City KS and Bountiful UT before finally settling in Sandy UT. Diane spent her life raising 5 little a…..angels, Kevin, David, Greg, Brian and Laurel. 

Diane found great pleasure serving others. She spent countless hours sewing blankets, crocheting afghans, cooking and crafting. If ever there was a friend or neighbor in need, Diane was first on the doorstep with a meal, a hug and a listening ear. Diane loved to crochet and each grandchild has a matching stocking and an afghan that she made for them. The center of their home was the kitchen and Diane was a master chef. She loved to gather her family and extended family for a yummy meal. She created multiple recipe books which have been published and shared to her children and grandchildren.

Diane could never pass up a good deal. She freely shared her finds with others. One of Diane’s pleasures was seeing the joy on someone’s face when she shared her finds with them. Her children were often recruited to push the shopping carts filled with goodies that she likely only paid a few dollars for. She shared her love of deal finding and Black Friday shopping with her children, their spouses and grandchildren. Thanksgiving afternoons were filled with Black Friday strategy sessions involving multiple copies of the Thanksgiving Day ads. 

She loved to travel and see the world with James. Her favorite cruise was through the Panama Canal. Other favorite trips included Disneyland, Alaska, Redwood Forest, Hawaii, Mexico, Church history tours, Nauvoo and many many National Parks. Diane loved spending time at the cabin they built in Island Park, Idaho. 

Diane loved family history and spent hundreds of hours documenting that history in small books to share with her children and grandchildren. She loved to share her testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ through her example and gospel centered gifts that she created for her children and grandchildren. James and Diane served two church service missions; one sharing the gospel while giving Conference Center tours and another serving at the local Deseret Industries where they taught classes to employees.

Diane is survived by her husband James, her children Kevin (Cathy) Cox, David (Cynthia) Cox, Greg (Mia) Cox, Brian Cox and Laurel (Dameon) Jones, 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and her sisters Sandra James and Brenda Dunlap. She was preceded in death by her parents Usher and Helen Wilcock. 

Diane was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease which she battled bravely for over a decade. As her health declined, she was blessed to be cared for by James and Laurel’s family. Our family would like to thank Enhabit Hospice especially Jenny, Mandy and Sarah and Sunridge Memory Care particularly Heather, Val and their team, who lovingly provided care to Diane. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Silvercrest Ward, 9119 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held at the church on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Monday from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM. Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org