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Edith
Wilcox, a resident at Saint Simeon’s has donated a priceless piece of art to
the Home. Many of you may have seen the large framed “Prayer for Saint Simeon’s
Episcopal Home” that currently hangs over the fireplace in the Memory Center
Hearth Room. Well, Edith owned the “not-quite-identical” twin of the Prayer
and it was in her home for many years. Recently, she decided that it would be
enjoyed more if displayed here at Saint Simeon’s.
Edith’s
son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Carolyn Wilcox, brought the second, framed
Prayer to the Home and it is now displayed in the Common Room for everyone to
appreciate. Edith states, “it is very natural and obvious that the second
framed prayer needed to be donated to Saint Simeon’s for a permanent home.”
A
resident here since October 2000, Edith has been a member of St. Luke’s
Episcopal Church since 1951. Edith and her late husband, The Reverend Charles
Wilcox, moved to Tulsa from Hutchinson, Kansas in 1951. Rev. Wilcox served, as
the Rector at St. Luke’s from 1951 to 1978. Edith is a charter member of the
Saint Simeon’s Auxiliary, having donated her time and talents to benefit the
residents of Saint Simeon’s for over 41 years.
The
Saint Simeon’s Prayer is recited numerous times, including at the beginning of
Board of Trustees meetings and Saint Simeon’s Auxiliary meetings. The Prayer
is also incorporated into many other events here at the Home and has been
recited by thousands of residents, families and friends since the late 60’s or
early 70’s. But other than knowing generally when the Prayer was written and
then used as the focal point of the two art pieces, the history of the prayer
and the art runs into a dead end. Even Paula Sampson, an employee for over 32
years and the source of answers to many Saint Simeon’s mysteries, does not
know the origins of the Prayer and the art pieces.
It
is believed, but not known for sure, that Dr. Edward Eckel, then Rector at
Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Tulsa penned the Prayer. We do know it was
beautifully scripted and incorporated into the two similar art pieces by a
friend of the late Flo Buck. Someone chose one of the pieces to be given to the
Home and Flo gave the second piece to Edith in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s.
So, with Edith’s donation the twin pieces are now together again.
But
we would like for anyone who knows more of the history to please contact Stephen
Mason at (918) 425-3583, ext. 237. Any clues or leads would be appreciated.
Maybe the offer of a Saint Simeon’s coffee mug to the person that helps solve
the mystery will jog someone’s memory.
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