McCoy, Jean Margaret (Dr. Margaret Horrobin) 87, formerly of Golden Valley, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024, at Hollidaysburg Presbyterian Village in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

Margaret was born on August 11, 1936, in Failsworth, England, to James and Nellie Horrobin. Raised in Bramhall, England, she was the first in her family to attend university and graduated from Manchester University's medical school in 1960. She emigrated from England to Minnesota in 1964 to marry Bob McCoy after meeting him at the World Humanism Congress in Oslo, Norway. They lived together in Golden Valley for 45 years, where she worked as a pediatrician, notably at Group Health (now HealthPartners) in Brooklyn Center and the University of Minnesota. She was a crusader for the dignified care of children with Down syndrome and was a co-founder of Project EDGE, one of the first early intervention curricula. She served on the boards of Special Olympics Minnesota and Person To Person, an anti-poverty self-sufficiency charity. Throughout her career, she authored several books and received numerous accolades.

In her free time, Margaret enjoyed gardening, reading, baking, classical music, attending the Guthrie Theatre, watching the Vikings and Twins, her pets, supporting social justice causes, and volunteering. She was a long-time member of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, where she served as a board member, until she moved to Pennsylvania in 2010 after the passing of her husband, Bob.

She was known for her kindness, warmth, gentle manner, wit, and intelligence. Margaret McCoy left a legacy of love, kindness, and tolerance and will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by all who knew her.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Robert W. McCoy, and her brothers, William and Michael Horrobin. Margaret is survived by her children: Heather McCoy (Gary Weisel) and Bruce McCoy (Jonathan Breen); stepson, Douglas McCoy (Marianna McCoy); five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; many nieces and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Special Olympics Minnesota in her honor.

A memorial celebration will be held on August 24th at 2pm at The First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, 900 Mount Curve Ave., 55403. She will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery next to her beloved husband.

Published on June 30, 2024