Lyca Wilson

Mary Alyce “Lyca” Wilson died peacefully in her sleep on March 8, 2025.  Lyca was born in Boise, ID on April 19, 1946 to Lucille and Wilbur Wilson. 

She was a singularly dynamic woman who loved life and never met a stranger.  Her life motto, attributed to the great Bob Dylan was “He not busy being born is busy dying”.  Lyca embraced a life of adventure, deep and fierce love, and kindness. 

Lyca grew up in Hammett, attending elementary at The Hammett Schoolhouse before graduating from Glenns Ferry High School in 1964. Lyca made her way east to attend and graduate from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.  From there she moved to NYC where she worked in the publishing industry.   Her adventures and occasional mishaps were varied and hilarious as she danced and partied around the Big Apple (often shoeless) with her best friend Anne and her fiancé, Jim Elias.  After she and Jim married, they moved to Venice, Italy.  After two years of aqua alta (high water) in a crumbling first floor Venetian palazzo she missed the blue bird skies and dry air of her high desert home.  She and Jim sailed back to the US and moved home to Idaho.

Lyca’s heart and home stayed in Idaho until she died.  Over the course of her life Lyca never stopped having fun and loving fiercely. She was a wonderfully fun mom who never cared too much about spills and stains as long as there was music and her kids were having fun.  She loved cooking and gardening and passed those passions on to all three of her children. Lyca was kind she opened her heart and home to many a stray animal, child or person in need.  As her daughters got older Lyca welcomed their teenage friends with open arms and huge meals.  Her house became a refuge for people that didn’t find that in other places. 

Over the course of her life Lyca channeled some of her passions into different careers and business including a gourmet food business and a wholesale plant nursery.  Lyca’s ultimate passion was her final career as a drug and alcohol counselor.  The impact of sober living and the support and love she found in her Alcoholics Anonymous community spurred her to desire to support and help others.  When Lyca died, she had lived 34 years sober and sponsored and supported countless other people seeking a life change. 

Lyca is survived by her sister Ann Wilson, her three daughters, Alexandria (Jes), Elizabeth (Charlie), and Catherine, six adoring and adored grandchildren Mason, AnnAlyce, Elias, Max, Julian, and Javier.  She has also left behind four horribly spoiled cats that may now have to sing for their supper.

Lyca’s family would like to thank ALL the caretakers and helpers that have supported her and cared for her over the last 5 years.  An extra special thanks you to Heather Crane who reminded Lyca how much life she still had left to live AND took her shopping in Boise where she was able to raise hell in Target and eat baskets of breadsticks at the Olive Garden.  You made her last months extraordinary.

Lyca championed the rights of women, children, and animals.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Women’s and Children’s Alliance or The Idaho Humane Society.  Lyca was adamant when she left us we should celebrate her life with music, food and drink and that no one wear black, with that in mind her family invites you to help carry out her last wishes and join then at any of the following events:

• A rosary in her honor will take place at Rost funeral home, 500 N 18th E, Mountain Home, ID at 6:00 pm on Thursday March 13, viewing will begin that day at 4:30. 
• Funeral at our Lady of Limerick Glenns Ferry, 21 W Arthur Ave, Glenns Ferry, Idaho Friday, March 14, 1:00 pm internment at Glenn Rest Cemetery will follow.
• A Celebration of Life following funeral and internment around 4:30 pm Friday, March 14 at Ann Wilson’s house, 791 S Lucille Ln Hammett, Idaho.