Belinda Jane McCoy

Belinda Jane (Kasselder) McCoy passed peacefully on March 1, 2023 at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family who will continue to love her and honor her legacy. 

She is survived by her husband Jim McCoy, son Brandon (Joseph) McCoy of New York, NY, and her younger siblings Melissa (Perry) Warhurst of Lenexa, KS, and Chris (Tasha) Kasselder of Lincoln, NE. She is preceded in death by her daughter Bethany McCoy and her parents Charles Kasselder and Carol Kasselder. 

A celebration of life will be held Monday, March 13, 11am at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 8550 Pioneer Boulevard, Lincoln, Nebraska 68520. Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the St. Marks UMC Foundation at stmarks.org.

Born in Great Bend, Kansas, Belinda spent her childhood moving between Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. She spent many bliss-filled years with her beloved grandparents in Pawnee Rock, Kansas where the family farm was her playground and the barn full of kittens was her cozy reading nook. 

Upon moving to Broken Bow, Nebraska she discovered her love of singing, musicals, and cheerleading. She spent summers lifeguarding at the pool with friends. 

In 1972 she moved to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska and was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. There, she would obtain her degree in elementary education and meet the love of her life, Jim. 

The two married in 1976, shortly after graduating, and had two children, Brandon and Bethany. For a few adventurous years, the family moved around the country for Jim’s military career. She was excited when the opportunity to move close to family in Kansas presented itself.

Upon moving to Hutchinson, KS she would pick back up on her career as a third grade teacher. Mrs. McCoy was the teacher you hoped to get. She was known for her kind ways, sense of humor and her brightly decorated classrooms—meticulously planned in the months before each school year began. She enjoyed working in the same school system with her son and daughter, watching them grow and making sure they brought home that honor roll bumper sticker each semester. 

The moving didn’t stop with her retirement. She moved briefly to Omaha, then Kansas City for Jim’s work and to help care for her mother. At Jim’s retirement, it was back to Lincoln. There, she was able to reconnect with old friends, attend Husker games and visit the Calamus Lake where her family enjoyed many memorable summers and Christmases. 

No matter where she lived, it was the simple pleasures that made her feel at home: time with family, sunny fall days, decorating the house (and keeping it spotless), a cozy spot with a good book and a caramel latte.

While her family will miss her warm smile and nurturing nature, they can rest assured that she’s with God and eternity will be an endless sunny fall day with family… and a perfectly made caramel latte.