Obituary of Ellen V. Wilcox

Ellen "Eleni" V. Wilcox left this world on January 1, 2024. The daughter of Costis and Elpiniki (Samarakis) Vaganos. She was born on March 25, 1931, married Donald P. Wilcox April 12, 1952, and is the mother of Don Jr. and Marc. The grandmother of Margaret "Maggie" Wilcox and Mackenzie Rotella, great-grandmother of Eleni, Enzo, and Seraphina Rotella. Leaving behind her sister, Rita (Beck) and brother, Chris Vaganos; she was pre-deceased by sisters, Georgia (Leach), Katherine (Root) and Victoria (McCarthy), nephew, Scott Young and niece, Tana (Root) Deery. Known as Eleni to her family, Ellen to her community and Augga to her nieces and nephews; she was one of the centers of our lives together. Although she began at a young age in her uncle Chris' restaurant in Wellsboro, eventually co-founded Three Sisters and also for many years the Sisters' annual booths during Laurel Festival and Super Sunday in Philadelphia. A fierce proponent of animal advocacy, she devoted many years walking the walk. Eleni made many trips reclaiming her Greek roots on the islands of Crete and Rhodes. There waiting were many family members, known to her and unknown, who would then become part of our collective history, familiar to those of us here through her wonderful stories. Her graceful ways, great capacity for joy and absolute staunch support of the next great idea, had an impact that was remarkable on each of us children who were connected to her. For this we will never forget that she was one of our beloved. Orthodox in her belief, there is a phrase known as Memory Eternal which is said at the end of Last Requiem, it is not for us to remember but it is for the departed to remain in the memory of God. And so we say, for Eleni, Memory Eternal. A private memorial service will be at the convenience of the family. Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. 637 S. Main St. Mansfield, PA is assisting the family. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com