DOWD, Catherine Lucille (Mullarkey) 1928-2015
DOWD, MULLARKEY, BRENNAN
Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 10/19/2015 at 13:25:12
Catherine L. Dowd
April 12, 1928 - January 30, 2015
A Special Irish Gem
Catherine Lucille Mullarkey Dowd was born to Mike and Mary (Brennan) Mullarkey on April 12, 1928 on the family farm near Wexford, Iowa. Catherine was one of eight children, and one in a second set of twins. Catherine departed this life on Friday, January 30, 2015 at her home in Waterloo surrounded by her family at the age of 86.
Kate (as she was affectionately known to her friends) attended Wexford Country School. She moved to Waterloo and held various jobs including secretary at Rath Packing. She met Dan Dowd, the love of her life at a country dance. She married Daniel Patrick Dowd on September 20, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wexford, IA.
Kate is survived by her four children, two sons, Mike (Deb) of Cedar Falls, Tom (Marianne) of Des Moines, and two daughters, Liz (John) Franznick of Grapevine, TX, and Kelli (Doug) McCarthy of Waterloo, two sisters Leonette Kernan of Lansing, IA, Eleanor O’Neill of Waukon, IA, and her twin brother, Carl (Mona) Mullarkey, of Wexford, IA, six grandchildren, Staci, Lex, Jake, Abby (Tom), Katie and Maggie (Kelli), four step-grandchildren, Lacey and Malissa (Mike), Taryn and Tanner (Liz), two step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Kate was preceded in death by her husband Dan, her parents, and her brothers, William and Leo, and her sisters, Margarite Manning, Evelyn Delaney, and brother and sister in laws, Joe Manning, Jimmy Delaney, Marcella Mullarkey, Steve O’Neill, and Francis Kernan, Mary & Willie Dale, Lila & John Costigan, John Dowd, and Ray Dowd.
Kate’s family was her priority. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very proud of her grandchildren and loved spending time with them attending their numerous plays, sporting events, and programs whenever she could. Kate was thrilled to take her two young grand-daughters on their first airplane trip to Texas and she was so happy to be able to attend her granddaughter’s wedding this past August. Kate had a special place in her heart for her numerous nieces and nephews. She treasured the extended summer stays of each them and loved reminiscing and sharing the stories of these visits as the years passed.
Kate was a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church, volunteering at St. Ed’s school where her children attended and at the church with funeral dinners and other special events. Over the years, she worked various jobs at an antique store and St. Francis Hospital. Kate was a homemaker who loved to cook, play cards, socialize and share stories with friends.
Kate truly enjoyed her friends and neighbors. She knew no stranger, for each became a friend after visiting with her. Kate will be remembered for her friendly smile and quick wit. To anyone who stopped over, she always had a listening ear and a beer in her fridge ready to share.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wed., Feb. 4, at St. Edward Catholic Church with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Public visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil. Visitation will continue for one hour before services at the church.
Memorials: may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Cedar Valley Catholic Schools.
Source: Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup funeral home
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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