Frances McCoy Bruce

Born: January 10, 1915
Died: May 30, 2016

(Age 101) Frances McCoy Bruce, 101, passed away May 30, 2016. Born on January 10, 1915 to Samuel and Lola (Symington) McCoy at the home they built in Spokane, she was the youngest of four children. The home where she was born has been fully restored and is on the Historic Register as the "McCoy House". When she was about three, she got the nickname that family and close friends used throughout her life, "Tanky". The nickname came about as she was talking with the man that delivered fresh vegetables to her family's home. He called her "Little Frankie". She named herself "Tanky" (a mispronunciation of Frankie). After graduating from Lewis and Clark High School in 1933, she attended Kinman Business School. With the secretarial skills learned, she went to work for eye doctors, Dr. Mark Anthony and Dr. DeRouthe. Through a friend, she met William F. Bruce and the two were married March 7, 1942. They were charter members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. She was a charter member of the St. Martha's Altar Guild at St. Stephen's and was an active member until just a few years ago. Frances was a perfectionist in caring for the altar and clergy vestments. She filled many positions in the Altar Guild, one being wedding chairman. For many years, she delivered Meals on Wheels with her friend Hellen Gillory.
Her love of gardening began when she was a child, helping her father in the backyard with his nasturtiums. Frances had a very large, prize-winning iris garden, as well as a rose garden. She took many flower arranging classes and entered competitions. She also taught her daughters to arrange flowers. During her time as a member of the Women of Water Power, she became known for the centerpieces she made for the organization's luncheons. She studied and became a floral judge. She was a member of the Lazy Daisy Garden Club. A tree was planted in her honor at Finch Arboretum. She loved entertaining and hosted many bridal and baby showers, bridge parties, picnics and Christmas Eve dinners. She took pride in setting a gorgeous table, preparing a delicious dinner, and just having the fun of a party. Following a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, she developed a love of antiques. She refinished and reupholstered many of the pieces in the family home and made all of the muslin tie back curtains. Her love of football was life-long. Every fall she could be heard cheering for the WSU Cougars. She enjoyed playing bridge and watching the deer and the variety of birds and other animals that would visit her yard and fields. For many years, she was a member of Phi Sigma Alpha International. Tootsie her dog and Sheba her cat gave her much pleasure.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband Bill of 66 years. She is survived by daughters, Susan (Fred) Sunderman and Barbara Bruce, both of Spokane; grandchildren, Carl (Lisa) Sunderman of Spokane, Heidi Sunderman of Portland, OR, Andrew O'Neill of Lewiston, lD, and Sami O'Neill of Issaquah, WA; great-grandchildren, Evan Sunderman and Linnea Sunderman of Spokane, Tulip O'Neill and Eddie O'Neill of Palouse, and Alexandra Styer and Anthony Styer of Issaquah; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Lu Hendren and Marcella Rodriguez, Jerry and Helen Gillory, Jackie Martin, Michael Hixon, M.D., Kavitha Chaganur, M.D., and Amy Eddy, M.D.
The service for Frances is Saturday, June 11, 2:00 PM at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5720 W. Perry, Spokane 99223. Inurnment is in the church columbarium. Donations may be made in her name to St. Martha's Altar Guild, St. Stephen's Church.