Tara Marie McCoy's Obituary
Tara Marie McCoy, a vibrant, hardworking, and fiercely independent woman, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family. Born in West Islip, New York, Tara was the fourth of six children born to Edward Gerard Delahunty and Josephine Angelina (Uliano).
Raised in New York, Tara graduated from Lindenhurst High School on Long Island, where she developed a love for musical theater and softball, even earning a college scholarship for her athletic talent. Her high school years were filled with performances in drama club productions, fun nights at discos, and summer trips to Jones Beach with her grandparents. Family camping trips to rural upstate New York instilled a lifelong love of the outdoors. Whether it was hiking and fishing, Tara thrived in the simplicity of nature. Family vacations to places like Disney World, Hershey Park, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country created memories that she cherished throughout her life.
Tara attended college in Texas, but a knee injury during a ski trip at age 20 ended her softball career. Returning to New York, she reconnected with a childhood friend, Gordon Scott Reynolds. The two married and welcomed their son, Mark, in 1987. After their divorce, Tara began working at Marine Midland Bank in Syracuse, where she met David Cleland. Tara and David married and had a daughter, Megan, in 1991. Although the couple later divorced, Tara remained devoted to raising her children and building a career in banking and lending.
In 2005, Tara relocated to Collinsville, Oklahoma, where she furthered her career in the mortgage industry. Her son, Mark, pursued his education at Florida Tech and began a career in Detroit, MI, while Megan attended school in Owasso. Tara eventually moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she lived for a decade before settling in Perkins in 2021 to be near Megan and her grandchildren. In 2023, Tara and Megan moved to Jenks, where Tara spent her final years surrounded by family.
Tara enjoyed going to the casino, playing her favorite slot machine: Rubies. When her kids were little, they took many camping trips with family friends, creating treasured memories of outdoor adventures and shared laughter. As a grandmother, Tara's world revolved around her grandchildren: Edward J. Reynolds, born in 2012, and Gabriel and Abigail Ayres, born in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Known affectionately as "Nana," she treasured time spent kayaking, camping, rock hunting, and attending craft fairs with her family.
Tara will be remembered for her feisty spirit and sharp wit. She had an incredible work ethic, spending decades in the mortgage industry.
Tara is survived by her children, Mark Reynolds of Detroit, Michigan, and Megan Ayres of Jenks, Oklahoma; her beloved grandchildren, Edward, Gabriel, and Abigail; and her siblings, Patricia Schwartz, Brian Delahunty, Cecilia Delahunty, and Angela Morgan, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Josephine, and her sister, Jeanne Pruchniewski.
Tara's legacy of resilience, strength, and love lives on in the hearts of those who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on November 30, 2024, at Rivercrest Chapel, where friends and family will gather to honor her memory.
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