M. JOYCE McQUILLEN 1937 - 2003

JOCHUM, MCQUILLEN, BRADLEY, WILLMAN, MENSTER, DELANY, HOUTAKKER, MCAULIFFE, MCDERMOTT

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 10/8/2003 at 21:11:54

M. Joyce McQuillen

Telegraph Herald - Friday, August 15, 2003

M. Joyce McQuillen, 65, of 2955 Kaufmann Ave., formerly of Epworth, Iowa, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, at her son's home in Cascade, Iowa, after a short battle with cancer.

Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Epworth, with the Rev. Joseph McDermott, SVD, officiating and the Rev. Raymond Burkle concelebrating. Private burial will be held at a later date. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Epworth, where there will be a wake service at 4:30 p.m.

She was born on Sept. 6, 1937, in Dubuque, into a large and loving family, daughter of Joseph and Hazel (Jochum) McQuillen. She was married at the age of 19 and had three adoring children.

She attended the rural Peosta (Iowa) schools and was a graduate of the former St. Columbkille's High School, Dubuque.

She worked as a secretary at the former St. Patrick's School in Epworth during the years her children attended elementary school.

She was a member of St. Patrick's Parish, Epworth.

Joyce was most proud of her children, grandchildren and her Irish ancestry. She had the great pleasure of traveling to the beautiful country of Ireland.

For years, Joyce battled Behcet's Syndrome. She traveled numerous times to the Mayo Clinic for treatment and touched the hearts of many sick people. Her illness never took her Irish spirit. Dr. Dall, of Dubuque, provided extraordinary care for Joyce. She was very personable and never afraid to talk with strangers. She loved to learn about other people and talk about her grandchildren. She cherished her family time and loved to sing Irish songs.

Surviving are three children, Dr. Steven (Candy) Bradley, of Cascade, Kevin (Lori) Bradley, of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Kelli (Gary) Willman, of Farley, Iowa; four grandchildren, Timothy and Sean Bradley, both of Palm Harbor, and Tasha and Tyler Willman, both of Farley; two step grandchildren, Mathew and Melanie Menster, both of Cascade; three sisters, JoAnn (Frank) Delany, of Dubuque, Carol (John) Houtakker, of Benton, Wis., and Sharon (Joe) McAuliffe, of Epworth; and five brothers, Jim (Sheila) McQuillen, of Papillion, Neb., Dick (Janet) McQuillen, of Dubuque, Joe (Corinne) McQuillen and Pat (Judy) McQuillen, both of Peosta, and Tom (Joyce) McQuillen, of Plattsmouth, Neb.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Dorothy McQuillen and Lois McDermott.

A Joyce McQuillen Memorial Fund has been established.

The family of Joyce would like to thank Dr. William Dall and his staff and Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care given to Joyce.