MEADE, Mary Lou (Gavin) 1929-2020

GAVIN, BOARDMAN, MEADE

Posted By: Mollie Meade (email)
Date: 9/8/2020 at 10:14:54

Mary Lou Eloise Gavin Meade, 90, of Iowa City passed away peacefully May 10, 2020, surrounded by her family on Mother’s Day. Due to restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family held a private Mass and burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Iowa City May 18. Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.lensingfuneral.com .

Mary Lou was born June 21, 1929 at home in Harpers Ferry, the daughter of Philip and Adeline (Boardman) Gavin. She received the sacraments of baptism, first communion and confirmation at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. Mary Lou enjoyed growing up in Harpers Ferry and had many happy childhood memories of picking wildflowers in the bluffs, searching for four-leaf clovers, playing with her sisters, cousins and friends, and of her aunts and uncles that lived there. Her family later moved to Cedar Rapids when she was a teen.

Mary Lou graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Cedar Rapids in 1946 at the age of 16. She then worked for Merchant’s National Bank for 13 years. She married James F. Meade of Iowa City May 6, 1961 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. They made their home in Iowa City and were married for 25 years until Jim’s death in 1986.

Mary Lou is survived by her two daughters, Mollie Meade (Brad) Taylor and Julie Meade (Tracy) Baker; two grandchildren, Patrick Taylor and Annette Baker; and a sister, Shirley Monaghan. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a sister, Grace Gavin.

Mary Lou enjoyed writing poems. Below is a poem she wrote about Harpers Ferry that was read at her funeral:

Memories
As I sit on my front porch in my old rocking chair and look at the pink and blue sky, I think of old memories and times gone by...
of the little town I lived in with the beautiful colored bluffs on one side of town and the Mississippi River on the other side that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight.
I think of my many friends and my family and of all the good times I had when I lived there, but then my family moved to a large city. I don’t get back very often but when I do, I think of all the good memories I hold in my heart. I love that little town.

Source: The Standard Newspaper

Mary's Obit in the Waukon Standard
 

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