Natalie S. Wilcox

Natalie Schoen Wilcox of Moorestown, NJ died peacefully after a very full life on January 6, 2025. She was 94. Natalie was born in 1930 in Pittsford, NY to Irvin and Helen Schoen. Her older brother, Robert died when he was 16. She was Salutatorian at Pittsford HS. Next, she graduated with a degree in English from the University of Rochester. In 1955 she married newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant William Howard Wilcox (died Sept 1979), and they lived a military life for the next 22 years. They had five children: William, John, Edward, Mary (died May 2023), and Ann. The family moved often: Georgia, New York, Kansas, Virginia, and Germany (twice). She endured two hardship tours while her husband was in Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the Army in 1977, and they moved to Moorestown. Natalie loved to travel; to see and do new things. She had been all over Europe and North America, to parts of the Middle East, South America, and Asia, and to Australia and New Zealand. She rafted the Colorado, floated the Amazon, took a train across Canada, and kissed the Blarney Stone. Many of these trips she shared with her kids passing on that love of adventure. She also loved her new hometown. After her husband died, she volunteered with hospice and it’s still mind blowing that after witnessing his death, she wanted to help people going through the same suffering. She served for 35 years. She also volunteered at the hospital for many years. Natalie taught religious education at her church for over 30 years to generations of Moorestown kids. She loved her book group, her movie group, and her bridge group. She was always trying new things. Natalie shot archery, tried painting, skiing, bowling, tennis, badminton, croquet, took Spanish classes, and participated in years of Elder Hostels. She was a huge Neil Diamond fan and saw him in concert nine times. She loved to go to plays locally and was a 30 year season ticket holder at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. Later in life she crafted beautiful, thoughtful cards for all occasions. Natalie had eight grandchildren: Lucas (wife Laura), Liz (husband Stephen), Juni, Autumn, Jonathan, Regan, Kevin and Jack. She was there for them soon after they were born and for many birthdays and graduations. She also had five great grandchildren: Silas, Clementine, Luke, James, and Matthew. She loved her son in laws Steve and Rick and her daughter in law Mavadene. Nothing thrilled her more than the house bursting with family. She had expressions for many occasions. A favorite was NHW for No Humor Whatsoever, for whenever someone was less than positive. But, the most guiding expression was, “Are you making the world a better place?” And we can all agree, she did.