La Grande, Oregon
Margaret Elizabeth Young McCoy
Margaret Elizabeth Young McCoy, 88, of La Grande died Feb. 2 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.
Mrs. McCoy was born June 19, 1918, to Fred and Sarah (Monroe) Young in Crane. She moved to La Grande in 1921 with her family and grew up with her three sisters. The family operated the Young’s Ice House and Delivery, harvesting ice near Riverside Park.
On April 3, 1935, she married Ralph McCoy. They farmed in the Mount Glenn area and, after purchasing Devine’s Grocery, moved to La Grande where Margaret operated the Y Avenue store, changing the name to Riverside Grocery.
Their next move was to M Avenue, where she helped manage their small acreage. She and Ralph eventually retired with a move to a residence in town, where she was able to fully indulge in hobbies.
Mrs. McCoy enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, camping, fishing, farming and gardening. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, canning, quilting, reading, bowling, family and local history, reminiscing and collecting of all kinds.
She traveled for 21 years with women’s bowling teams and was instrumental in starting the Women’s 600 Bowling Club. She was willing to share and teach her hobbies to anyone interested.
Mrs. McCoy’s sense of humor and contagious laugh will be remembered. She welcomed all visitors and could spontaneously provide a meal for 10, start up a game or magically serve up Popsicles and root beer floats.
Survivors include her husband of 72 years, Ralph; children, Darlene of Boise, and Gary and wife Charlotte of Wallowa Lake; sister, Lillian Herrmann of La Grande; 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Helene and Mildred.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grande Ronde Hospital Home Care and Hospice.
The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending Feb. 10, 2007 – Published: February 10, 2007