Dorothy C. McDermott (1922-2018)

MCDERMOTT, KIERNAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/5/2018 at 10:42:40

Dorothy C. McDermott, 95, of rural Bernard, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade.

Friends and relatives of Dorothy may call from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2018 at Reiff Funeral Home, Cascade, where there will be a wake service at 2:30 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., Saturday, July 7th at the funeral home.

Services for Dorothy will be held at 10:30 a.m., July 7, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church, rural Peosta, Iowa with Rev. Philip Mensah Presiding. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.

Dorothy was born on October 14, 1922 in Bankston, daughter of Irvin and Anna (Kiernan) Potts. She married Emmett McDermott on December 27, 1947 at the Nativity Catholic Church, Dubuque. The couple was the third generation to farm on their land near Bernard. Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She and Emmett were always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Prior to a lifelong career devoted to raising her family, she attended the University of Dubuque and was a teacher in the rural country schools in Dubuque County.

She was a member of Holy Family Parish in rural Peosta, and a member of its Rosary Society. She and Emmett founded the New Melleray Athletic Association providing baseball and softball team activities for the kids and people of the Holy Family Parish.

Dorothy enjoyed quilting, embroidering and praying. She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by six children, Cherie McDermott of Epworth, Terry (Kathy) McDermott of Peosta, Tim (Lori) McDermott of Bernard, Tom (Stephanie) McDermott of Cascade, Todd (Dana) McDermott of Bernard, and Trace (Karen) McDermott of Marion; 16 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and one brother Gene (Jean) Potts of Asbury and two sisters-in-law, Kay Potts and Virginia Potts both of Dubuque, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emmett A McDermott on Sep. 19, 2011; a son, Larry McDermott; a daughter-in-law, Sharon McDermott, one sister, Mary LaVon (Mark) Brown; and three brothers Gerald, Cyril and Warren "Buddy" (Shirley) Potts.

In lieu of flowers a Dorothy C. McDermott memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The family would like to thank the staffs at both River Bend Retirement Community, Shady Rest Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care and compassion shown to Dorothy.