Mary "Eileen" Wilcox (Deutschmann)

Mary Eileen Wilcox, 96, of Blue Springs, MO, died Sunday, March 12, 2023. Eileen was born July 21, 1926 in Albert Lea, MN, to George and Margaret (Logue) Deutschman. After high school in Minnesota, Eileen attended the University of Kansas where she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and the Jay Janes spirit group. She also studied at the Kansas City Art Institute. Following college she worked as a fashion illustrator for prominent Kansas City department stores. She met her husband Perry D. Wilcox while they both attended KU, and they were married in 1949, subsequently moving to Lyons, KS, and raising four children. In 1964 the family moved to Independence, MO, where Eileen worked for Harzfelds at the Blue Ridge Mall, and later for area florists. Eileen was an active member of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Independence. She belonged to the Independence Art Association and the Blue Springs Art League, and she volunteered at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband Perry and her three sisters. She is survived by her four children: Stephen (Wichita, KS), Jeffrey (Columbia, MO), Marcia Michels (Highland Ranch, CO), and Tierney Bowman (Blue Springs); six grandchildren and one great grandson. A prayer service will be held at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Independence, on Tuesday, March 21st at 12:00 p.m.; interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, MO.