Sophie V. McCoy

Sophie Victoria McCoy, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 12, 2014 in Lonepine, MT.
She was the first child born to Joseph Albert and Anna Sophie Simla on July 21, 1931 in Coleman, Alberta. Sophie was a first generation Canadian; speaking only Polish until entering the first grade where she and fellow students quickly picked up the English language. She attended elementary school in Coleman, later moving the Rutland, British Columbia where she completed high school in 1949. After graduation, Sophie moved to Vancouver, BC to attend St. Paul's Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1952. She accepted her first nursing position at the newly built Sanders County General Hospital in Hot Springs, MT. She worked there from the fall of 1952 until June 1953. At this point she returned to Rutland, BC and worked at Kelowna General Hospital until November 1953. In 1954, Sophie worked at Ellensburg General Hospital in Ellensburg, WA. Then from 1954 to 1959, she nursed at the Northern Pacific Railroad Hospital in Missoula, MT.
In 1952, Sophie met the love of her life in Hot Springs, MT and became engaged to Alan J. McCoy in the spring of 1953. They married in Rutland, BC on November 19, 1953 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church. Sophie and Alan then spent the next 61 years happily married. Alan and Sophie began their married life in Ellensburg, WA, but then moved to Missoula, MT for six years, and Plains, MT for another six years. They finally settled in Lonepine, MT at the McCoy Ranch in 1966.
Sophie had decided early on that she would be a stay-at-home mom if she ever had children. Sophie and Alan were blessed with Robert Campbell in 1959, Scot Alan in 1961, and Laurel Ann in 1963. She enjoyed her children and their activities, becoming involved as a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, the children's 4-H programs, and school events. Sophie was also actively involved in the Hot Springs Lady Lions and Home Demonstration Displays at the Sanders County Fair. She thoroughly enjoyed her flowers and gardens and gardening with her father-in-law, John C. McCoy. Sophie became a wonderful cook and baker, despite her mother telling her she could not get married because she did not know how to cook. When her parents came to visit, Sophie had prepared a delicious meal and her mother responded by asking who she had gotten to cook the meal for her!
Sophie had a very adventurous spirit. She loved to go hiking with the children riding along in a little red wagon and fishing with her family. One fondly remembered trip involved Sophie taking the children with the little red wagon on a seven-mile hike through Rattlesnake Gulch and over the pass to Coyote Gulch just east of the Ranch (they never did see a rattlesnake or coyote). Sophie and her family frequently traveled to see relatives in BC and Alberta. Every time they returned to Coleman, the sight of Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters made her feel like she was returning home.
Family was the most important part of Sophie's life. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family members. She always looked forward to holidays and special occasions when the family would gather together.
Sophie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Albert and Anna Sophie; and brother, Allan Joseph Simla. She is survived by her husband; Alan of Lonepine; son, Robert (Anita) McCoy of Casper, WY; son, Scot (Rochelle) McCoy of Casper, WY; daughter, Laurel Ann (Scott) Ross of Belgrade, MT; and "third son" Glenn (Christine) Knodle of Heron, MT; sisters, Helen (Ray) Ottenbreit of Kelowna, BC; Dianna (Ernie) Vetsch of Oliver, BC; and sister-in-law, Bev Simla of Red Deer, Alberta; grandchildren, Chris (Nadine) Tedford, Ashley McCoy, Mackenzie McCoy, Chelsey Ross, Travis Ross, Logan McCoy, Joseph McCoy; and great-grandson, Tell Tedford; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A celebration of Sophie's life will be Monday, July 21, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Lonepine Community Hall, Lonepine, MT, with Father Jeff Benusa presiding. A graveside service will follow at a later date. A potluck luncheon will take place after the service at the Lonepine Community Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John C. McCoy Memorial Scholarship, the Lonepine Communtiy Hall, or the Murray Memorial Cemetery, 2700 Hwy. 28, Lonepine, MT 59848.
Read Sophie McCoy's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.