Shirley Mae Mccoy

Shirley Mae Durst McCoy, 72, of La Grande, died June 20 at a care center in La Grande with her family by her side.

She was born June 13, 1938, to William and Ida Durst in Iowa City, Iowa. She moved with her family to Oregon where she graduated from The Dalles High School in 1956. Shortly after, she married Maurice DeBoer, a surveyor, and in 1964 they moved with their four children to Seattle where their fifth child was born. In 1967 Shirley became a single mother to her five children and for many years supported her family as a waitress.

Two of Shirley's greatest pleasures were cooking and music. Not only did she make sure her family was fed, but any person who happened to be around during mealtime was invited to enjoy her hearty home cooking. When Shirley sat at the piano, her eyes would light up and a smile would cross her face. She would play and sing all the latest and the oldies. "Amazing Grace" was one of her favorites. If not at the piano, the radio or records would be playing.

In 1976, Shirley and her family moved to the Oregon Coast. There she met and married Dave McCoy. They owned and operated a moorage at Nehalem Bay. In 1990 she returned to Seattle and began working in merchandising for greeting card companies. She continued this job after moving to Eastern Oregon in 1995, where she remained until her death.

She is survived by her children, Cynthia DeBoer of Elgin, David DeBoer of Tillamook, Gregory DeBoer of Pilot Rock, Pamela DeBoer of Pilot Rock and Steven DeBoer of Meacham; sisters, Delores Haggerty of Auburn, Wash., and Helen Hicks of Minnesota; brother, William Durst of The Dalles; eight grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a grandson, Ian.

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