Cipriana McCoy

Cipriana “Prana” McCoy, the Matriarch of LaBoca, died peacefully at her son’s home in Ignacio, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, November 14. She was 94. Prana was born on the Pine River at the headwaters of what is now the Navajo Dam. She spent her entire life in the LaBoca-Ignacio area. After her husband died, she stayed on the ranch and for the last few years, her son, Jerry, stayed on the ranch with her.
Prana loved to work outside. She loved her garden, flowers, and all the ranch animals and she worked right along with her husband with the irrigating, haying, and all of the farm chores. Prana ran the ranch.
She canned, crocheted, embroidered, loved to make bread, and made most of their clothes without using a pattern. She was a prolific and talented quilter and her creations will be cherished as family heirlooms for generations. Many of the members of the family benefitted from her artistic ability with a sewing machine.
Prana was one of the strongest women we knew. She worked so hard all of her life with no soft lifestyle to lesson her burden. She is a testament to what the simple pioneer life and spirit is. Prana was a role model for all of us.
Family was her first priority and she always had time to talk to us and teach us what she knew. She had a wealth of information and shared her old-time home remedies with us. The M & M jar was always full for the great-grandchildren.
Prana is survived by her children: Lester (Elaine), Jerry (Roxine) and Ruth (Gary) Martin, 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Orville, her special grandson, Dean and 5 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, contribute to your favorite charity in her name.
Services will be held at Hood Mortuary on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. and burial will follow at Ignacio East Cemetery.