Dorothy McCoy

Dorothy Ann McCoy, nee Gawlak, ended this struggle called life on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after 86 years.

She was born on June 24, 1939, in St. Louis, MO, and was married to, and preceded in death by the love of her life, Gerald Leonard McCoy. Her life before marriage was not easy, and was at times, unpleasant. Those experiences and struggles provided her with the resolve that would make her a force to be reckoned with. She was always committed to seeing through all of her efforts in being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, and human being.

She not only provided her husband with four sons, Mark (Nancy) McCoy, Kent (Lisa) McCoy, Gary (Alma) McCoy, and Glenn (Laura) McCoy, but she also shouldered the burden and mayhem of one woman keeping four boys from self-destruction while instilling the values and lessons they would need to navigate life. Amidst the chaos, she managed to provide a meticulously clean home, nourishing meals, along with care and companionship. Dorothy’s efforts did not go unappreciated.

Along with her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, Willie Lee Lerch and Theodore Gawlak, as well as her sister and brother, Patricia Stewart and Theodore Gawlak. Patricia and Theodore both left this life too soon to not see Dorothy persevere in overcoming so many obstacles with her health that would later conspire to deprive her family of her presence. Against a stacked deck of issues, she always amazed her family with resilience and a desire to move forward. Dorothy’s mother, Willie Lee Lerch, recalled stories of carrying little Dorothy to keep her shoes clean. Her father, Theodore Gawlak, was blessed to have a daughter who took him in and cared for him later in his life.

The love she had for her grandchildren cannot be stressed enough. Megan and Andrew McCoy left this world too soon, but not without experiencing the devotion and love Dorothy gave to all. Melissa McCoy Keller (Brandon), Melody McCoy Pokrzywinski (Andrew), Derick (partner, Luz), Jack, Molly, and Callum McCoy were fortunate to bear witness to the love of such a proud grandmother. Her great-grandchildren, Gianna McCoy and Alice McCoy Primelles, will hear the stories of how she touched so many lives.

Her friends and caregivers at Addington Place, Shiloh, IL, and Clinton Manor, New Baden, IL, always commented on what a pleasure and joy Dorothy was to be with. The McCoy family thanks Clinton Manor for providing the care and companionship Dorothy needed and deserved.

Without Dorothy Ann Gawlak McCoy, life goes on. For those whose lives she touched, it goes on a bit richer and fuller, and now sadder. Dorothy, you are loved, and will sorely be so, so missed.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Funeral: Memorial services will be held at a later date.