Cecilia Jean McCann Hoornbeek entered into Christ’s glory January 7, 2016 at 5:25 p.m. surrounded by family and friends in her own home. Cecilia or Jeannie, as called by her family, was born September 23, 1940 in Los Angeles, California, the first born to Cecil and Dorothy McCann. She was joined soon by siblings, Patricia, Terry and Gail. She grew up in Southern California and met Richard Williams in high school. Soon after high school they married and moved with the Army to many places including Germany, which she loved. After trying for many years for a baby she finally conceived and delivered a little girl she named Brenda Gail. Mom always said being a mom “is the best thing I have ever done in my entire life.” She and Richard divorced, however, remained good friends even until her passing. Mom was 100% redhead – independent, sassy, and adventurous (as long as it did not involve planes or icy roads!), and lived her hippie years in Hawaii and California as a waitress and a shoe model! She was even featured in Seventeen magazine! We drove around in a green VW bug only to be replaced by a green Fiat convertible. We had “flower children” nicknames for each other, hers notably was “Love.” She was a great friend and had besties in Lynn, Sandy, and Jan, and kept in close contact with them until she passed.
She met, fell in love and married Mike Hoornbeek, and getting a beautiful, curly headed boy, Brian out of it! On their honeymoon they went to Stevensville, Montana and bought a beautiful piece of property up Burnt Fork. Our mom was yoga and organic before they were cool! Cecilia lived her life free and happy and without apology – part of what made her so charismatic. Bess Cain, Richard’s mother, was one of her closest friends and confidants, even moving to Montana with the family! Mom could grow any plant and had a huge garden that she tortured her children with – making them weed and even EAT the vegetables! Mom never met a person or animal down on their luck that she couldn’t help! For that reason we always had bottle babies (sheep bunnies calves, kittens and puppies) in the house! And occasionally a friend in need she would just insist on bringing home with her. Mom was present in all six grandchildren’s births and kept a close relationship with all of them even her youngest being her namesake.
Mom approached her cancer diagnosis like she did her life – on her own terms. A faithful and knowledgeable believer in Jesus, she was anxious to meet Him. She stated to Hope, her granddaughter, “I’ve had the best life ever! I have traveled this world, did everything I ever wanted to do, have family and friends who love me, and I know I’m going to meet Jesus soon.”
Mom was in hospice and fell in love with the nurses that cared for her. The one prayer that she always had was that her husband, Mike, would become a believer. In her final waking moments, just the day before she passed, Mike asked Jesus to be his personal savior while praying with mom. At that moment she cried the only tears she had shed through her entire final week. She opened her eyes, told him she loved him, kissed him, and hugged and kissed Brenda, and said, “I love you, my baby bird.” I would like to say those were her last words but even though she hadn’t smoked in years, she did mumble something about wanting a cigarette!
Mom is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Dorothy, her mothers-in-law Marjorie Hoornbeek and Bess Cain and her father-in-law Paul Hoornbeek. She also lost her oldest granddaughter, Sunny Mathews, last year, which was probably her greatest heartache. She is survived by her husband Mike Hoornbeek, her children Brenda (Paul) Hoyer, Brian (Doreen) Hoornbeek, her grandchildren, Danny (Heidi) Mathews, Luke (Kiesha) Mathews, Hope Mathews, Alicia Hoornbeek, and Cecilia Hoornbeek, great grandchildren Lane and Summer, siblings Pat (Chris) Christenson, Terry (Gloria) McCann, Gail McCann, and nieces Tammy, Tricia, and Brandi. Mom had special friends who became like family, Ghia, Maribel and Margie.
At mom’s request, services will be held at the Bitterroot River in the Lee Metcalf Refuge later this summer, date to be determined. Condolences can be sent to 362 Sunrise Ave., Stevensville MT 59870.