Loretta "Ret" M. McCoy

Loretta “Ret” M. (Vaught) McCoy, 79, of Winnebago, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois. Born February 4, 1945, in Roswell, NM, the daughter of Loren Valentine and Inez Eudora (Johnson) Vaught. Graduated from Pecatonica High School in 1963. Throughout her life, Ret, as she was known to her many friends and family, was a people person. She loved meeting new people through her many years of decorating cakes, working at Limelight Weddings, and especially through her lifelong dream of owning and running the Victorian Veranda bed and breakfast. She was definitely a “hostess with the mostest” when it came to her guests at the B&B, and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining, cooking, and cleaning for her guests. In fact, she created a cookbook with her favorite recipes accumulated over the years that she ran the B&B. Her greatest and most favorite role was grandma to Melanie, Jessica, and Charli Brusnahan, whom she adored.

Loretta is survived by her daughter, Melissa “Missy” (Tim) Brusnahan; son Mark McCoy; beloved granddaughters Melanie, Jessica, and Charli Brusnahan; her sister Sharon Pierce; many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Loretta is predeceased by her parents Loren and Inez as well as her sister Charlotte Doyle.

A time to gather and honor Loretta’s life will take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 2:00 until 4:00 pm. in the Seward Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 3029 S. Pecatonica Road, Seward, Illinois 61077. In lieu of flowers, consider memorials to Win-Bur-Sew Fire Department, or to the Seward Congregational Church. Loretta’s disposition is through the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com