Rita M. McCoy
May 30, 1930 - December 3, 2013
Obituary
Rita M. Henrikson McCoy
1930-2013
Rita McCoy passed away on December 3rd, at her home in Bellevue. She was born in Renton, WA, the only child of Maria and Thor Henrikson. A graduate of Renton High School, Rita attended Washington State College, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and where she met and married Bill McCoy. They raised three sons in Normandy Park, where Rita was a great mother, loyal friend, and gracious hostess who lit up a room with her smile. Rita’s guests always felt as if they’d made her day, because they had. Rita was passionate about her Swedish heritage, exchanging visits with relatives in Sweden. She was called Farmor by her grandchildren with whom she shared Swedish traditions, especially in December when every window glowed with candles and a smorgasbord was laid out on Christmas Eve. Rita took up folk dancing and joined Scandia, where the music and friendships brought her joy. She particularly relished the Midsommar celebrations in Poulsbo.
Rita was predeceased by her parents, husband Bill, and son Jeff. She is survived by her sons (and family), John (Mary, Connor, Kevin), Brian (Jessica, Travis), Jeff’s family (Chris, Danielle) and her Hammarström cousins in Sweden, Gunnar (Bodil, Per, Nils, Ola), and Anders (Birgitta, Lars, Karin). The family thanks Mariana, Florentina, and the staff of Ivanhoe for their years of compassionate care and affection to our beloved, lovely Rita.
There will be a celebration of Rita’s life on Monday December 16, 2013 at 12:00 pm, at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Chapel, 16445 International Blvd. SeaTac, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Love and thanks.
I love you Rita! You were a true Angel on earth… You always lightened our lives by how much you always cared for others!
Rita was a great friend to our family. She was very special. She always lit up the room with her smiile. Our families had many great times together. Our mom’s are together again probably playing cards. Much love and peace John and Brian
I know Rita has known that I care about her very much and that she is an inspiration for me in many ways.
All the warm and thoughtful things she has said and done. I have always felt so welcomed and cared about.
I will miss her, but I have lots and lots of great memories that I will keep telling the ones I know. And I will try to be as warm and loving to people around me as Rita always has.
Sending a Great Big Hug and Lots of Love from me and my family in Sweden
Rita and I lost touch with each other over the more recent years. But in high school and beyond we were very close. I was her maid of honor at their wedding and a year later Rita was my matron of honor at Dale and my wedding. I have so many happy memories of our times together. I wish her family love and sympathy in the loss of a truly fine lady.
Rita was a wonderful and loving neighbor. I have so many happy memories of our times together.
My sympathy and love to you, Brian and John.
Rita’s husband Bill was my twin brother. We first met her at WSU when Bill and Rita started dating in 1949. When we both lived in Seattle, Lee and Rita became very close. Back in those days we were 1-car families and the guys had the cars most of the time. Rita and Lee would talk on the phone almost every day and discuss their kids and the goings on.
Rita was very sensitive to other peoples’ feelings. As soon as someone entered her house she was offering them something to eat or drink.
We have many fond memories of Rita in our lives. We spent lots of time together on vacations. When we went camping Rita would always be the one to have all the stuff needed to keep us from starving.
She was one classy lady, and was a big part of our lives. We will never forget her
My mother-in-law for 23 years was a gracious, lovely lady. She was a world-class hostess and a beautiful woman inside and out. A remarkable thing about her is that not once do I remember ever having heard her speak negatively about another person–always believing in the best. I have been missing her for a long time and will continue until I see her again, as an old German proverb goes, “Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.” I look to the day when we are reunited. My prayers and thoughts are with her family. I love you, Rita…JoAnn
Rita was a wonderful gracious hostess. When my mother’s sister visited from England, the two of them would go to Rita’s. My aunt smoked once in a while so Rita would get her special carton out of the freezer and they enjoyed a smoke together. My aunt so laughed that Americans keep everything in the freezer!.
Brian and I would be together at the McCoy Picnic. I remember we were in the row boat somewhere out on the lake. Rita whistled for Brian and we heard it loud and clear maybe a quarter mile away. Thanks Rita for the memories.
Finding the right words to say to the family who just lost their loved one isn’t always a simple task … It was easier for me to take care of RITA for more than seven years … She was the best host for visitors , best hugger , warm personality … My favorite memory of her was when family visited , she was soooo happy ,offered cookies for grandchildren played domino ….I’ m gonna miss Rita a lot …. Wishing you God ‘s Peace , sincerely Mariana
Rita, Dearest Rita,
I didn’t have the chance to tell you I’ve missed you, ‘The Forgetting’ stole it away. Bill couldn’t tell you, so long ago,that he missed you. ‘The Forgetting’ stole it away.
All the things that made you ‘our’ Rita – grace, wit, sense of humor, liveliness, charm, trust and friendliness, creativity and thoughtfulness, ‘The Forgetting’ stole away.
Rita the dominoes dominator, crossword puzzle solver, Domestic Diva, dog and garden flower lover, the Light in our circle. ‘The Forgetting’ stole away.
I so fondly recall a moment while visiting you one day. Sitting next to you at the dining table, shoulder to shoulder, we turned eye to eye and burst into laughter. The laughter and eye to eye happened a few more lovely times. Somehow we reconnected, then, ‘The Forgetting’ stole it away.
I miss you Rita.
The familiar faces of family and friends, ‘The Forgetting’ stole away. I’m so glad to have some picture memories of you. Keepsakes of you, Bill, Dave and me – untouchable by ‘The Forgetting’.
In your passing, and now on the other side with your other loved ones, ‘The Forgetting’ can no longer steal.
I miss you Rita, and love you, always.
Cyndi Harbour
We are blessed to know the beautiful smile and gracious welcome of our Aunt Rita. She was a wonderful hostess and loved people. Her laugh and kindness was special!! We have many good memories of the family get togethers.
John and Brian thank you for caring for your Mother over the years. May you and your families be comforted from God and friends during this time of loss.
Sincerely, Dave & Gale
My deepest sympathy to the family at this very difficult time. Please notice this wonderful promise made by God at Revelation 21:3,4.