Virginia W. McCoy
Date of Passing:
Virginia Ann (Wayland) McCoy, 85, of Riverside, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, after a long illness. She was the beloved wife of the late William Daniel McCoy.
Born in Providence on September 25, 1939, Virginia was the daughter of the late John P. Wayland, Sr. and Bernice (O’Neil) Wayland of Barrington. Ginny grew up in Barrington, was a graduate of St. Mary Academy – Bay View, and Rhode Island College. She taught Elementary School in the East Providence School District for 29 years. She was a former volunteer for the Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen in Riverside, and served as a volunteer and Unified Partner with Special Olympics Rhode Island.
Ginny retired from teaching in 1993 to help care for her nephew, Patrick, and, as a lifelong educator, was instrumental in helping him successfully transition to school. She went on to enjoy her retirement, embarking on countless adventures traveling the world with Dan. In recent years, she delighted in her weekly Rummikub gatherings with her close circle of friends.
She is survived by her brother, John P. Wayland, Jr. of Narragansett, and her sister, Margaret M. Powers and her husband Donald of Barrington. She is predeceased by her brother, Dennis J. Wayland, Sr., her sister-in-law and dearest friend, Claire L. Wayland, and sisters-in-law Joyce Hupper, Joanne Haussermann and Jean Herring, and brothers-in-law John Hupper and Arthur Haussermann.
Ginny was a selfless friend, confidante, and true gift to her many nieces and nephews, and a bonus grandmother to her grandnieces and grandnephews. She was the proud godmother of John P. Wayland III, Kathryn Powers and Maggie Jane Peterson. Ginny was everyone’s “Aunt Gin”, a name she embraced from not only her own nieces and nephews, but from all of their friends as well. She will be forever remembered for her bright smile, sense of humor, infectious laugh and her loving spirit.
Her funeral and visitation will be held on Tuesday April 29, 2025 in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside from 9 a.m. -10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Luke’s Church, 108 Washington Road, Barrington at 11 a.m. A graveside burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence.
Ginny’s family wishes to thank the devoted nurses and doctors from HopeHealth Hospice, who, with great compassion, helped ease Ginny’s suffering in her last years. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ginny’s memory may be made to one of her favorite charities: HopeHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904, Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen, 55 Turner Avenue, Riverside, RI 02915 or the Special Olympics Rhode Island, 370 George Washington Highway #1, Smithfield, RI 02917.
Miss Wayland was our fourth grade student teacher at A.M. Waddington Elementary School in 1961 (if memory serves me correctly). We were thrilled when, the following year, we learned that she would teach us in fifth grade full time. She was fun ~ always jumping rope or playing kickball with us at recess ~ but strict about our attention to learning. At the end of the day, she and our sixth grade teacher, Miss Anne Barry, were the first ones posted at the crosswalk to ensure that we were safely on our way home. Decades later, I visited the school and made my way to that fifth grade classroom, surprised to see Miss Wayland’s name on the door. It was actually her niece’s room. Clearly the legacy of excellence in teaching was there, and that legacy extends through the lives of all of us privileged to have been her students. Thank you, Miss Wayland. We’ll remember you always.
Karl and I send our condolences and much love to the family. Ginny was the kind of person you just loved being in her company. She always had me laughing. Sadness in missing her company, but joyous knowing Ginny will continue taking care of her family from heaven.
Ginny is resting in peace.
God’s Blessings on you all.
Always our love and our prayers.
Ginny and Dan back together