Hilda Emily McCoy

August 11, 1922 – July 25, 2015

Emily was born on August 11, 1922 in Evenwood, England to John and Hannah Gaffney. She trained as a nurse in London, England where she began her career during WWII. She traveled with her mother and 2 of her sisters, across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary to Boston where she lived and continued her nursing career for the next 3 years. After moving to Los Angeles, she married Brendan McCoy in 1958. The couple welcomed 5 children, and Emily set about raising her family with faith and love. Her children remember her as a loving & patient mother who was wise, fiercely protective, and encouraged them to follow their dreams and pursue their goals. She was their biggest fan, and so very proud of every member of her family. She was a lovely, gentle lady who will be truly missed.

Emily was an accomplished caregiver and people watcher and often could be found at the Seal Beach Pier at sunset honing her skills. She was a dedicated individual who loved the Lord and who was passionate about her faith. She was an active and dedicated member of the Ladies Guild at St. Raymond’s Catholic Church in Downey and cheerfully volunteered at the St. Raymond’s School library for many years.

Hilda “Emily” (Gaffney) McCoy, Emily is survived by her husband of 57 years, Patrick Brendan McCoy (Seal Beach); children, Brendan McCoy and wife Angelica (Pasadena), Patricia Hernandez (Downey), Fiona Goodwin and husband John (Costa Mesa), Teresa Antonelli and husband Stephen (Redondo Beach), and Ann Richards and husband Dale (Las Vegas); her 19 grandchildren Patrick & Michael McCoy, Jessica & Terin Hernandez, Madeline Roman & husband Salvador, Rory & Adrian Hernandez, David Enriquez, Ian Noel & wife Rachel, Sean, Brendan, Ryan & Emily Goodwin, Brigid, Claire & Keara Antonelli and Aidan & Ronan Richards; 7 great-grandchildren Alexus, Brian & Nicolas Guzman, Isaac Hernandez & William Magaña, Andrew Noel and Aubrey Roman.

She is preceded in death by her parents John Edward Gaffney and Hannah Mary (Harding) Gaffney of Evenwood, England and Siblings Eileen Aires (England), Caroline “Gigi” Hadden (Boston), Wilfred Gaffney (Canada), Winifred Scofield (England), Joyce Cann (England), Mary Schoberg (New Jersey), Robert Gaffney (England), Margaret McClellan (England), and John “Jackie” Gaffney (Australia).