Shirley Jean McCoy Campbell

Shirley “Jean” McCoy Campbell, 76, of Grand Coulee, received her angel wings on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, very peacefully in Spokane, Wash., at Manor Care Nursing Home.

She was born March 12, 1936, in Riverton, Wyo. She was welcomed to the world by parents Floyd E. and Susie E. McCoy. Having brown eyes and brown hair, fair complexion and weighing in at 6.5 lbs., she was a beautiful child. She was named after film star Shirley Temple. Not liking her first name, she chose to go by Jean.

Jean’s family remained in Riverton, then moved to Utah for a short time then onto Grand Coulee in 1945.

Jean was the fourth child of six – Floyd (Bud), Iva May (Ike), Beverly, Robert and Colleen. The family to Grand Coulee to join other family and hopes of employment due to the building of the dam. Floyd and Susie bought and ran the Sunset Fountain Grocery until 1960. Jean attended school in the area and worked in the family store during her youth. At the age of 16 she was swept off her feet by James (Jim) Campbell. They were married Feb. 2 in Wilbur, Wash. Moving to California for family and employment, they then returned to the Grand Coulee area where they brought their first child James. The rest of her four children were born in Mason City, Coulee Dam. Toni, Nina and Terry which completed the family.

The family moved to Spokane for employment and their Campbells remained until three of four children were out of school. They then returned the coulee for Jim’s employment at the USBR.

Jean loved being home closer to family and friends. Jean’s work career including retail clerk at the family store, child care and she also found herself working for the local pharmacy and Safeway. In Jean’s words “the best job she ever had was working for Ed in Coulee Dam.

When Jean finally retired you could find her at the Eagles, volunteering in prepping the salad bar, usually laughing and enjoying her Eagle friends. Jean also volunteered as a Little Sister Coordinator for the Miss GCD Area pageant and acquiring new granddaughters along the way.

Jean’s hobbies include knitting, embroidering, reading, but most of all gardening, a love she shared with mother Sue.

Jim and Jean became avid hunters, therefore she became an avid cook of game, fowl and fish. She could out shoot many a man, out fish them and make homemade pie for dessert.

Jean and Jim ventured to Alaska to visit family but most of all to fish. Traveling to Wyoming on a hunt for antelope with their son Terry was one of her most precious memories.

Jean’s husband passed away in August 1999. Realizing she could not live in a flat-roofed home, built in the 30s, it was no longer safe, Jean placed a bright, safe, beautiful manufactured home on their lot which she enjoyed and loved for several years with her four-legged friends Mr. Bo, and Mr. Ozie Campbell. It gave youngest sister Colleen the opportunity to spend time and visit often. Jean also kept a very close relationship with her youngest brother Robert through childhood to adult as well.

Jean loved her Campbell family and became the famous Taco Salad Lady, it became a tradition for family reunions.

Jean is survived by one son James A. III; daughter Nina; brother Robert; sister Colleen and grandchildren: Christina, Shawn, Michelle, Amanda , Jessica, Stormy, Danielle, Stephanie, Rick, Justin, Angie, Sam and many adopted grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, who some were named after her “Jean” not Shirley.

She was preceded in death by one son Terrance, 1985, daughter Toni, 1990, husband James,1999; parents Floyd and Susie; siblings: Floyd (Bud), Beverly (Angie), and Iva May (Ike).

The family is tentatively planning a simple graveside service in March around Jean’s birthday. She was a very spring lady.

Prior arrangements were made by the Neptune Society.