Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Diane (Rattray) Hancox, age 89, a long-time resident of Wilmington and lovingly known as “The Sarge” to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023, at the Lowell General Hospital.
Diane was born in Stoneham, MA, on April 27, 1933; she was the dear daughter of the late Alexander and Helen (Wells) Rattray. Diane was raised and educated in Melrose, MA, and a graduate of Melrose High School with the Class of 1950.
Diane married “her sweetheart” Frederick Hancox, Jr. in 1951; the couple moved to Wilmington in 1963, they raised a beautiful family, and shared many wonderful times together before his untimely passing in 1986. Diane was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother; she showered her family with unconditional love and support and would do anything to help them. Diane looked forward to spending time with her family; they enjoyed countless holidays, special events, and family vacations throughout the years. Diane and Fred especially enjoyed the time they spent at their cabin on Damariscotta Lake in Maine where all were welcome and many great memories were made.
Diane was a hard worker throughout her life; for many years she was employed as a travel agent which not only allowed her to help many families have great vacations but it also allowed her to see the world. Diane enjoyed seeing new places, meeting new people and experiencing cultures throughout the world. She had great people skills and an endearing personality which made her quite a success as a travel agent. Diane truly enjoyed her job and her co-workers were “extended family” to her.
In her spare time, Diane enjoyed bowling, gardening, shuffleboard, bocce, Rummikub, spending time with the ladies in the Methodist Church Circle, watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics, cooking from scratch, Hallmark movies and “4:00 wine time”.
Following the death of her beloved Fred, Diane met a nice widower named Wallace Moore; the couple hit it off and soon became inseparable; she felt she had a second lease on life. Diane and Wallace enjoyed spending time with each other’s children and grandchildren, they looked forward to traveling the world and spending time at their place in the Golf View community in Ft. Myers, Florida. Diane and Wallace spent several years going back and forth to Florida and made countless friends. They also loved to entertain and have their family and friends from “up North” for countless visits and extended stays.
Diane will be fondly remembered for her love of family and friends, her feisty spirit, her kindness and compassion, but most of all she will be remembered as an amazing care giver to everyone. Diane had a way of making her family and friends feel special and loved; she had a heart of gold and will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Diane was the beloved wife of the late Frederick W. Hancox, Jr., devoted mother of Cindy Stone of Ft. Myers, FL, Lauren Randall & her husband Glenn of Westborough, Frederick Hancox III & his wife Kathleen of Cotuit, Lisa Fudge & her husband Rick of Wilmington, Gregory Hancox and Sara Nugent of Providence, RI, Julie Hancox of Wilmington, and the late Stephen Hancox & his wife Mary Hancox of Middleton. Diane was loving Grammy of Amy Stone & her husband David Martinez, the late Jeff Stone, Kate Ota, John Ota & his wife Michelle, Alex Ota, Tara Hancox & Sean Boutimn, Meghan Lanni & her husband Chris, Rick Fudge & Paul Bedard, Jillian Baldyga & her husband Alex, Ben Hancox, Emma Hancox, Kyle Hancox, Shane Hancox, and Great-Grammy to Andrew, Zoey, Matt, Mike, Max, Rainer, Alanna, Raegan, Ryan, Olivia and Tyler. Diane was dear sister of Judy Harrison of Ft. Myers, FL, the late David Rattray and the late Donald Rattray & his late wife Beverly. She was the long-time companion of the late Wallace Moore and is fondly remembered by his children Susan Mann & her husband Alan, Nancy Cole & her late husband Evan, Linda Mann & her husband Jamie and their families. Diane is further survived by her nieces, nephews and friends.
Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Tuesday, March 14th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. A Service to Celebrate Diane’s life will take place at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 15th at 11:00 a.m. followed by her interment in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Diane’s memory to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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