Ellen McCoy
Ellen Schachtel McCoy, age 80, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, following a battle with pneumonia.
Born on November 25, 1945, in New York City, Ellen was the daughter of the late Irving Ira Schachtel and Elinor Weiler Krach. She graduated from The Chapin School in New York City before earning her Bachelor of Arts from Finch College and her Master’s degree from New York University.
Ellen possessed a vibrant spirit and a passionate enthusiasm for life. She built a career across education and sales, working in St. Louis with both the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), where she became a dedicated supporter alongside Mind’s Eye.
Above all, Ellen loved musical comedy and was never without a song ready. Known for her big, brassy, and delightfully loud vocal style, she kept classic standards close at heart. She once sold out a local St. Louis nightclub with her autobiographical one-woman show, Travels with A Broad, telling her life story through song. To those who knew her best, Ellen was a truly one-of-a-kind, free-spirited, and delightfully eccentric soul whose presence brought joy and unforgettable memories.
Later in life, Ellen married Fred McCoy of St. Louis. Though the marriage eventually ended and her health faltered in her later years, her irrepressible spirit remained intact to the end.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Schachtel Wright of Jamestown, Rhode Island; her brother, Roger Bernard Schachtel; her loving extended family of cousins; and her cherished group of devoted friends—Debbie A., Christopher K., Thomas L., Douglas W., John D., Mary W., and all the members of “The Gang” whom she loved dearly.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ellen’s honor may be made to:
Center of Creative Arts (COCA)(opens in new tab)
6880 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63130
9541 Church Circle Drive
Belleville, IL 62223