Ella McCoy

Ella McCoy was born in December of 1933 in Berwick, Pennsylvania and died October 9th, 2013. She is survived by her son Peter Osmolovsky. Ella was married twice and had three children. Her daughter, Anya, died at 13 years old and her other son, Michael, died from cancer in 2005. Ella was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and lived in remission until this last summer when cancer was found again. She chose not to accept treatment for the cancer and lived in the Light as she was dying. She taught us how to die with grace and was a delight to be with through that last stage.

From the moment that Ella joined us in 2008 for Meeting for Worship she was involved in our community. Ella joined us most Sundays for worship and anything that followed. She became a member of our Meeting in March of 2009 although she had been a long time attender at other monthly meetings around the country. She was always engaged with the meeting and individuals as well.

Ella was very good at keeping in touch with those of us who make up the meeting community. When someone was sick or had not been to meeting recently she would call and check on them. If she felt a Friend was in need she would reach out. We always felt her love and support. During Business Meeting she would challenge us regularly, encouraging us to engage in deeper discussion. She may not always have agreed with the rest of the Meeting but she did not hang on to her personal position; she accepted that the Light was working among us and would move forward based on that Light.

Learning was a lifelong passion of Ella’s. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from University of Missouri and M.A.in Sociology from the University of Rochester. She continued studying philosophy and theology, auditing philosophy classes at UC Berkeley. She shared this passion for learning with others in the Meeting. She regularly attended and sometimes led the monthly Bible study after meeting. She was interested in the different worship sharing sessions that we had and would be a part of the sharing. Ella and some other Friends started a study group that met every Tuesday. They started with “Works of Love” by Soren Kierkegaard. This study went on for over a year. They then made a presentation to the Meeting on their understanding of the book. The group then moved on to the Gospel of John from the Bible. Ella found this very enlightening and shared her learning with others. Ella hosted the book club for Peace and Social Concerns Committee. She enriched the spiritual life in our Meeting.

Ella was on the Ministry and Oversight committee for many years and was very effective in her ministry out reach. She also was a big help in the practical aspects of the Meeting. She was the email coordinator and wrote and sent out the newsletter. She was quite inspired to write the newsletter and that inspiration always showed; we all enjoyed her newsletters and found them informative. When we moved to a new facility with uncomfortable chairs she provided 20 new comfortable chairs for the Meeting. Many of us feel Ella holding us when we sit in those chairs.

Ella is loved and greatly missed by the Meeting.