Mary “Pauline” Wilcox, 94, of Olathe KS, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Visitation will be from 8:30 – 9:40 am; Rosary at 9:40 am followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W 127th St. Overland Park KS 66213. Interment following mass at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd & Quivira, Lenexa KS.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to either the American Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimers Association.
Pauline was born April 2, 1932 in Kansas City KS to Paul and Marie (Walters) Porting. She attended Ward High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Roy Wilcox Jr. on February 14, 1953. They began their married life in Kansas City KS and produced four children from 1957 to 1961. In 1965 Pauline & Roy moved to Mission KS with the children (ages 4-8) where they were members of St. Pius Catholic Church for over 40 years. During that time Pauline was very active in the church as a member of the Altar Society and St. Rose Circle, as well as involved in many school activities with her children, such as, PTA President, room mother, Girl Scouts, sporting events and performances.
Pauline began working at the Marley Company prior to her marriage and continued there until the children began to arrive. Once the children were all in school she worked part time at Potratz Realty in Mission KS. In the early 70s Pauline took a full time job at Johnson County Parks & Recreation working in the Registration Department for all the classes and programs the county offered. Pauline advanced quickly to Registration Manager and then Assistant to the Superintendent of Parks. In 1984 Pauline was asked to work at a new 50+ Senior Program that was beginning in Roeland Park and happily accepted.
It was while working in Roeland Park that she met a group of senior tap dancers (55+) called “The Dazzlers” who performed at nursing homes, senior activities centers, shopping malls, festivals and even high schools (she once performed at a high school her grandchildren attended). Pauline had studied dance as a young girl and was thrilled to be dancing again in a variety of glitzy costumes. She was not timid or shy, always liked performing, interacting with people, and enjoyed being in the spotlight.
At age 61 the Dazzlers were performing at Westwood Community Center when Pauline suffered a major stroke which required surgery to drain fluid that was pressing on her brain. Pauline was motivated to get back to normal and after several tough months of speech and physical therapy she was back to dancing and working part time at the Senior Program.
Doctors and therapists who were impressed with her attitude and recovery asked if she would volunteer at the American Stroke Foundation. Pauline visited stroke patients to give them hope and encouragement during their recovery. Her strong and vibrant personality was just what the doctor ordered.
Pauline & Roy both retired, and in 2006 they moved to St James Court in Olathe where they became members of Church of the Ascension. The adjustment was hard for Pauline at first, moving from the Mission area where they had lived for so long, but with her outgoing personality she quickly made friends and loved the neighbors in the St. James Court community where everyone looked out for each other.
Pauline & Roy celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary among family and friends with a wonderful night of dinner & dancing at Garozzo’s on February 14, 2018. Sadly in December of that year she lost her beloved Roy.
Pauline was never one to sit around, and after Roy’s passing she filled her time with family events and never missed a chance to see her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren. Pauline never met a stranger and loved to start a conversation with anyone and everyone! She enjoyed casino trips, lunches, shopping, and ice cream runs with friends at St James Court. In the last couple years it was the weekly card games at her friend Susie’s house, and Bunko at the clubhouse, that she looked forward to attending.
A highlight of her later life was her 90th birthday party in 2022 which was attended by over 100 family members and friends from all over. Pauline was the belle of the ball and partied for hours. She loved that people were amazed when they found out how old she was and commented that “she didn’t look her age”! When she was dressed up in full make-up and hair she really DIDN’T look her age.
Pauline was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Roy; her parents, Paul & Marie; her brother, Chuck and sister, Connie. Pauline is survived by four children, Royce (Mel) Smith, Elaina (Sheff) Olinger, Greg (Danielle) Wilcox, Chris Wilcox; seven cherished grandchildren, Logan Smith, Mackenzie (Nick) Winslow, Halston Olinger, Lauren (Chris) Grubbs, Audrey (Tyler) Harrell, Aimee (Jason) Studna, Jake (Shannon) Wilcox; fourteen adored great grandchildren; beloved sisters-in-law Elaine Heck & Joyce Dehaemers; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as countless friends.