Shirley L. (Seright) Wilcox, 97, born August 02, 1928 in Lincoln, NE to James J. and Eva R. (McAdams) Seright. She passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Art Education and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, then moved west to teach art in the Alliance Public Schools. Shirley met & married Howard W. “Mike” Wilcox and moved to the family ranch north of Ellsworth in the beautiful Sandhills of western NE. Shirley & Mike continued to ranch together, raising cattle & registered Quarter Horses.
She was an accomplished artist focusing on western scenes, in addition, she created detailed illuminated manuscripts and was recognized at numerous art exhibits. She was honored to receive the State DAR Women in the Arts Recognition Award.
Family members include her daughters Christine Von Tour, Magnolia,TX, Nancy (Greg) Cover, Colbert,WA and Bridget Toma, Lincoln; grandchildren Nathan and Whitney Cover, Riley and Rhys Nelson; sister-in-law Sharon (Bobby) Goff; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike, son Jim Wilcox, brother Bud Dewey, sister Eleise Seright, son-in-law Jerry Lavergne, sisters-in-laws Patricia McNitt, Ramona Tillman, and Colleen Benedickt.
A private memorial Mass was held at the Madonna Chapel, Lincoln. Interment will follow at a later date at the Hyannis, NE cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to: East Point Horspice, 2511 East Point Acres, Alliance, NE. 69301 or Carnegie Arts Center, 204 W. 4th St., Alliance,NE 69301