Mary Bertholf Faye McCoy

McCoy, Mary “Faye” Bertholf, 100, died Sun., Feb. 16, 2014. Visitation 6-8 PM, Thurs., Feb. 20 at Downing Lahey East Mortuary; Funeral 1 PM, Fri., Feb. 21 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church; Burial 3:30 PM., Fri, Feb. 21 at Cleveland Cemetery, Kingman, KS. Faye was born to Lin and Mable Bertholf on Oct. 3, 1913 at the family home near Spivey, Kansas. She attended school in Spivey and enrolled at Friends University in Wichita in 1930. While at Friends she met Harvey H. McCoy and they were married on Aug. 12, 1934. Faye left college a year before graduation to teach elementary school in Adams, Kansas. She regretted very much that she was not able to finish college and was thrilled when she was granted an honorary degree from Friends University in 2012. She and Harvey lived in Wichita until 1943 when they moved to the farm near Spivey where they lived until 1983 when they moved to Kingman. In 1991 they moved to Larksfield Place. Harvey died on Apr. 30, 1996. Faye was always involved in the communities where they lived and is remembered for her leadership and musical abilities. She played the piano for 95 years and was a music teacher, pianist, organist and accompanist. She also enjoyed writing poetry and family histories. She learned to china paint and painted hundreds of pieces of china which she gave to her family and friends. She is survived by her son, John Roger McCoy (Kathy); daughter, Carolyn Waller (Ray); grandchildren, Kevin McCoy (Chris), Keith McCoy, Kenneth McCoy (Sheri), Lance Waller (Alisha), Jay Waller (Jennifer), Becky McCoy; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was a member of Alpha Nu Delta Rho, Chapter FM, PEO and Eastminster Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Larksfield Place Health Care Center, 7373 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS 67226; or Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd., Wichita, KS 67206.