Katherine Layne McCoy

Katherine (Kathy) Layne McCoy, 93, passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her on July 20, 2023 at The Terraces in Bonita Springs, FL, where she resided since 2014. Born in Madison, Wisconsin on February 22, 1930, to the late Frank and Jane Kuehl; she moved to Washington D.C. with her family at a young age. After graduating from the Holton-Arms High School, she graduated from Centenary Junior College in NJ, and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Kathy was a proud member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority; she remained an active alumna and close friend to her Kappa sisters her entire life. After graduation, Kathy taught Home Economics before meeting her husband Edward B. Layne, Jr. on a blind date. They married in 1955; he preceded her in death in 1981. In 1998 she married Robert McCoy, once again meeting him on a blind date. He preceded her in death in 2002. Since the 1990’s, Kathy split her time between Bonita Springs, FL and Ocean City, MD. Kathy raised “The Layne Girls” in Rockville, MD, where she led her family as a caretaker for her ailing and aging parents, and was the ultimate school Room Mother, dedicated Sunday School teacher, cheerleader (G-R-E-A-T), team coach, Girl Scout leader, Lawyer’s Wives Club member, and consummate hostess. She loved a good party with happy hour starting right on time. Her crab feasts on the deck of her Ocean City home were legendary, as were her well-tended hibiscus and germanium plants. She frequently welcomed lifeguards to shelter undercover during storms, and not a train went by on the boardwalk without a wave from her. Kathy was a fiercely loyal friend to so many over her lifetime and was unbelievably giving and caring to everyone in her life. Her sense of humor was legendary, her timing impeccable, and her laughter contagious. Her infectious smile was always painted perfectly with her bright lipstick. Kathy’s passion was playing Bridge. Throughout her life, she played many times per week with friends, family, and neighbors, always humbly attributing her wins to “good cards” and not her expertise at the game. In the late 1970’s as Kathy’s children grew up, she ventured back to work at Garfinckel’s department store where she proudly became Employee of the Year selling costume jewelry and making friends with co-workers and customers. At times, she was the welcoming Face of the store. An avid baseball fan, she rarely missed watching her beloved Washington Nationals daily, and she adorned her home with recent World Series memorabilia. Maintaining the scorebook was one the favorite activities she and her father shared. Kathy is survived by her devoted daughters and “sons” Jeannette (Jannie) Flickinger (Paul), Martha Vexter (Peter) and Diane Schumacher (Randy); Grandchildren: Michael Flickinger (Jen), Kelsey Flickinger, Christy Howley (Lee), William Fayette, Janet Moore (Kevin), Michael Schumacher (Betheny); Great Grandchildren: Finn and Felix Howley, Grant, David, Julia, and Lilly Moore. Kathy was predeceased by her close sister, Marion Applegate in 2020. Together, they formed a 90-year bond, were known as “the giggle sisters”, and served as the ultimate matriarchs for both of their families. Kathy is survived by Marion’s children with whom she was very close: Ellie Hall (Reed), Donald Korst (Donna), and Betsy Michels (Larry), and their beautiful families. She is also survived by Bob McCoy’s five children and their families. The family would like to thank Arelis Useche for her loyalty over multiple decades and especially the past 4 years as a wonderful companion caretaker to Mom. Theirs was a loving partnership. To the end, Kathy’s motto was “Family is Everything!” Her family will lay their mother and Nana to rest in a private ceremony at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville, MD. A Memorial Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held August 26, 2023, at 11am with luncheon reception to follow at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center 5701 Marinelli Rd, North Bethesda, MD 20852. Memorial Donations in Kathy’s name may be made to The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company and/or Hope Hospice Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Katherine Layne McCoy

February 22, 1930 - July 20, 2023