Vivian McCoy Owens

Vivian McCoy Owens

June 29, 1941 – December 29, 2024

The family of Vivian McCoy Owens, 83, formerly of Charlotte, NC, mournfully announce Vivian’s passing on December 29, 2024, in Boca Raton, FL.  Vivian was born June 29, 1941, in Mount Carmel, PA.  She was a National Honor Society student at Mount Carmel High School and led the band as Drum Majorette.  She was crowned Queen of Hearts at her high school ball.   Vivian was both athletic and musically gifted. She played trombone, piano, basketball, volleyball, and enjoyed ice skating in her youth.

After graduating high school, Vivian attended Geisinger Nursing School in Danville, PA.  It was here that Vivian met her former husband and father of her children, Bruce Bailey, who attended nearby Bucknell University.  Vivian and Bruce raised two daughters (Bonnie and Elaine) and lived in various places in Connecticut and New York before moving to Charlotte, NC in the 1970s.

Vivian began her career with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system in the 1970’s working in the school psychology department until her retirement in 2001.  Vivian and Bruce divorced in 1977 and then Vivian married Earl S. Owens in 1980.  Vivian and Earl made a wonderful life together until Earl’s sudden death in 2001. 

Vivian had many passions including a love for animals, bird watching, gardening, reading, and walking the greenways and mountain trails.  She treasured her girls’ trips with her daughters to various destinations and their “weekends in Waynesville”.  She had a magnetic personality and would make friends everywhere she went.

Vivian was tragically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2021 and eventually moved into Artis Senior Living Memory Care in Boca Raton where she lived for 1.5 years before passing after a brief respiratory illness.

Vivian leaves behind a devoted family who mourns her loss including her daughters, Bonnie Theise (Brian), Elaine Bailey (Marc Kool), siblings Linda Procopio (Charlie), Judy Hefley (Colin), and Harold McCoy (Barbara).  Vivian was known as “Mama-V” by her grandchildren Trent Kool (Sierra), Michael Theise (Christina), Jacqueline Theise and 4 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her late husband, Earl S. Owens of Charlotte, NC, her parents, Harold Walter McCoy and Pauline Koons McCoy, and her sister Marilyn Simmons. Vivian also leaves behind multiple nieces, a nephew and several cousins. Vivian will also be dearly missed by her many friends including her long-time friend Allen Osborne.

A celebration of life for the family is planned in Boca Raton, FL.  In lieu of flowers, Vivian requested donations to Planned Parenthood, The Humane Society, and the American Heart Association.  Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would also be honored.