Sophie Victoria McCoy, 82

Sophie Victoria McCoy, 82, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 12, 2014, in Lonepine.

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, British Columbia, 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. She worked there from the fall of 1952 until June 1953. At this point she returned to Rutland and worked at Kelowna General Hospital until November 1953. In 1954, Sophie worked at Ellensburg General Hospital in Ellensburg, Wash. Then, from 1954 to 1959, she nursed at the Northern Pacific Railroad Hospital in Missoula.

In 1952, Sophie met the love of her life in Hot Springs, and became engaged to Alan J. McCoy in the spring of 1953. They married in Rutland on Nov. 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, Wash., but then moved to Missoula for six years, and Plains for another six years. They finally settled in Lonepine 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 7-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 British Columbia 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, and Anita McCoy, of Casper, Wyo.; son, Scot, and Rochelle McCoy, of Casper; daughter, Laurel Ann, and Scott Ross, of Belgrade; and “third son,” Glenn, and Christine Knodle, of Heron; sisters, Helen and Ray Ottenbreit of Kelowna, British Columbia, and Dianna and Ernie Vetsch of Oliver, British Columbia; and sister-in-law, Bev Simla, of Red Deer, Alberta; grandchildren, Chris and Nadine Tedford, Ashley McCoy, Mackenzie McCoy, Chelsey Ross, Travis Ross, Logan McCoy and Joseph McCoy; and great-grandson, Tell Tedford; and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A celebration of Sophie’s life will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 21, at the Lonepine Community Hall, in Lonepine, 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 Community Hall, or the Murray Memorial Cemetery, 2700 Hwy. 28, Lonepine, MT 59848. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.