Heather Nicole McCoy passed unexpectedly into the arms of her Heavenly Father on September 8, 2024 at the age of 39. Heather was born in San Jose, CA on March 23, 1985 to Darvis McCoy and Lea McCoy Bryson.
It’s impossible to put into words the wonderful person Heather was. From the moment she was born, she was an old soul. Despite her precocious nature, when Heather was two years old, her babysitter compared Jesus to Superman. When she came home, she announced that Su-u-mon died for our sins. Her theology evolved over time.
Some of the things she enjoyed were writing, reading, walking and loving on her dogs, leather working, photography, science, and more. Her friends brought her great joy, and she hated to miss an online conversation or game with them. She and her brother Travis shared a uniquely deep bond and would often finish one another’s sentences.
She was strong, sweet, and intellectually curious. She graduated from California Lutheran University with degrees in Communications and Psycho-biology. One of her favorite subjects was Organic Chemistry. After that, she attended University of Southern California where she earned a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy.
After graduation, she was injured and developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, but never gave up hope of living independently, and underwent every treatment available for her disease.
In spite of living with constant pain, she persevered. She did the hard work with pain management counseling, and learned to look on the bright side. She had ups and downs like everyone, yet she never failed to encourage others. She brought joy, love, and light to all who knew her. As a family member said, “Sitting at your kitchen table with Heather, we had so many laughs. I have vivid memories of conversations with Heather…the way Heather’s eyes feel kind and all-knowing and the way they ‘smile’ at their edges when she laughs.”
She will be missed more than words can express, and she will remain in our hearts until we meet again.
Heather is survived by her loving mother, Lea Bryson, step-father Jeff Bryson, her father Darvis McCoy, brother Travis McCoy and his wife Evelyn Zhang, step-brother Nick Bryson and his wife Jody Bryson, step-brother Dan Bryson and his wife Stephanie Bryson, and loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephew, and the best canine friend in the world, Shadow.