Roma Carriere McCoy

1920 - 2021

Roma Carriere McCoy obituary, 1920-2021, Bishop, CA

BORN

1920

DIED

2021

Roma McCoy Obituary

ROMA CARRIERE MCCOY passed away April 16, 2021, at the age of 100. She was born August 12, 1920, in Bishop, California, where she lived most of her life, except for a few years at Crowley Lake Dam and McGee Mountain. Her husband, Dave of 75 years, sister, Francis and brother, Marshall all preceded Roma in death.
Roma loved dogs, horses, and horseback riding, biking and dancing. As a young girl she demonstrated her talent by twirling atop the concrete pillars on Elm Street; and, as a teen enjoyed a 'full dance card' at the weekly dances held at Keough and The Masonic Hall. Roma learned to play the piano from her father, who came to Bishop as a music teacher and piano tuner.
Roma first spotted the love of her life, Dave McCoy, at a soda fountain in Independence, California, in the fall of 1939 when she was 18 and Dave 23. Their first dates were in the High Sierras hiking to alpine lakes, fishing and skiing (once Dave taught Roma how). In exchange, Roma taught Dave to dance. The two also loved touring Highway 395 on Dave's Harley Davidson, exploring the high desert country from Tahoe to Bakersfield.
They wed on May 10, 1941. Their honeymoon, at a remote cabin up Rock Creek, required skiing the 9 miles in, Roma with strawberries in her backpack for shortcake on the woodstove.
The old adage 'Behind every successful man is a great woman' fit Roma perfectly. While raising a growing family, she supported Dave's dream of building Mammoth Ski Area, accepting the sacrifices required from Dave's long days in the field, first as a Hydrographer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and then, building, operating (and endlessly fixing) ski tows up and down Long Valley and eventually Mammoth.
When the couple had to begin charging skiers to ride their rope tows (to pay for gas) in the early 1940's, Roma collected the coins in a cigar box or a fishing creel. She greeted every skier with a smile and joined him or her for a few runs at the end of the day. For years, the McCoy 'bank' was the top drawer of Roma's dresser at the Crowley House. Every dollar went back into the growing business, after Roma made sure bills were paid, school clothes mended and Christmas presents purchased.
A lifelong accomplished and graceful skier, Roma earned numerous ski-racing trophies, often outpacing her rivals as a new mother with a growing brood. But she always insisted that her greatest accomplishments were her six children.
Roma did it all! She learned to cook almost everything Dave caught or shot to keep the freezer full. And, there was always enough of her inspired cooking for friends, helpers and young ski racers who might stop by, or overnight on the living room floor, eager to help the couple get the ski area up and running the next day. She loved to knit for her family and there are many photos of she and Dave in matching 'Roma Original' ski sweaters.
Throughout her long life, Roma retained a love of hiking, fishing, camping, riding bikes and skiing. An interest in tennis led to a court on their Rocking K Ranch, where some of her grandchildren followed in her footsteps by learning to play. In later years, Roma and Dave took long rides on their ATV's through the high desert mountains they both loved.
Roma is survived by her six children: Gary (wife, Barbi), Dennis "Poncho' (wife, Beverly), Carl, Penny, Kandi (husband Rusty) and Randy, 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
No Celebration is planned at this time. Memorial donations may be sent to: Mammoth Lakes Foundation, P.O. Box 1815, Mammoth Lakes, California 93546

Published by Mammoth Times on Apr. 22, 2021.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Roma McCoy

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

Met this sweet lady for the first time in the late 40s...She was dads cousin ..wish I had known her better ..rest in peace

Richard Eyster jr.

Family

August 17, 2023

I never met Roma or Dave, but have skiied Mammoth my whole life and still love skiing it. Roma is inspirational to me because she was the strong woman behind the man in her own right. That's a super power to me and I thank you Roma. And you did it all with a big smile on your face!

MM

Acquaintance

May 1, 2021

Roma, you were the love of Dave's life. I imagine the two of you off riding into the sunset on a great adventure . . . together again at last! With much love to you and Dave. You made the World a far better place.
SP

SP

Friend

April 22, 2021

Dave and Roma gave me the gift of Mammoth Mountain with the first rope tow on what became Broadway when I was 5 years old in the early 1950's. ...and I have been thankful for the last 70 years. You made the world a better place.

r. barron

Friend

April 20, 2021

I met both Roma & Dave on a couple of occasions a few years ago at their home with “Eileen the laundry queen” who worked on the mountain for 15 years under the watchful eyes of this dynamic duo. The stories I’ve heard about the two of them & their compassion for others & support for people & their employees makes me feel like I already knew them well. Roma seemed to be an equal partner with Dave in matters of equal rights for women employees on the mt. & listening to their concerns & following thru with allowing changes in unfair policies. Eileen expressed to her concerns that she was not allowed to wear shorts in the hot laundry room & Roma agreed it made no sense that she had to wear a skirt, but couldn’t wear shorts to comfortably do her same job. Both Dave & Roma listened to concerns & made reasonable & humanitarian decisions to keep people happy & joyful. They created a “family” atmosphere for their employees as well as for patrons who chose to visit & ski there. Neither were about making a huge profit ... they were about creating a fun & enjoyable environment for all. What they built together was monumental & the legacy they left will not soon be forgotten by those who barely knew them, but most certainly by those who loved & knew them well.

Keli Koppel

Acquaintance

April 20, 2021

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in Roma McCoy's name

Memorial Events
for Roma McCoy

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Roma's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Roma McCoy's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more