Cleo Carolyn McCoy

Pacific Grove ~ Cleo C. McCoy, a 74-year resident of the Peninsula, passed away at her home on July 7. A native of Fresno, she was a graduate of Pacific Grove High School. Cleo was a bookkeeper at the Chevrolet dealership in Monterey where she met her future husband. Later, Cleo joined her husband as owner of Coast Business Machines.

Cleo loved all sports. A champion swimmer and diver, she is credited with saving the life of a child off Lovers Point and her oldest daughter who was pulled out by the strong undertow. She enjoyed horseback riding and fishing. An excellent golfer, Cleo was a founder of the Pacific Grove Women’s Golf Association, was a member of Rancho Canada and proudly scored five holes-in-one. She had a particular fondness for Siamese cats.

Cleo is survived by her children, Rosanna Miller of Placerville, Karen McCoy of Pacific Grove and Michele (Jim) Crocker of Seatac, Washington; her grandchildren, Jennifer, Mark James , Patrick Gaylen, Daniel Ryan, Staff Sgt. David Paul of the US Army (who was awarded a Bronze Star for courage under fire) and Lindsey Miller, Christopher, Matthew and Sarah Thiele, Richard and Kirsten Axelrod, who shared her home with her. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Mariah, Calia, Olivia Kefeleck, Zachary Mamush and Paul Gaiden Bonifer-Miller, Alex Schmucker, and Isaiah Samuel, Chloe and Alyssa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, in 2001.

Funeral services will take place at The Little Chapel by-the-Sea in Pacific Grove on Monday, July 16 at 11:00 AM followed by burial at El Carmelo Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 546 Abbott St., Salinas, 93901. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Cleo’s guest book and leave messages for her family.