Mary Eileen Donnelly

DONNELLY, TUCKER, GATENS, PUNELLI, NELSON, PARENT, WEINHEIMER, KNOEDEL

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 1/17/2011 at 14:12:41

Mary Eileen Donnelly, 93, a resident of Laguna Niguel, CA, for the past 2 ½ years, passed away peacefully in her sleep, January 10, 2011. Prior to her move to California in the fall of 2008, Mary Eileen was a resident of Iowa City for 74 years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 22nd, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, with Reverend Rudy Juarez officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, January 21st, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City. A parish rosary will begin at 2:45 p.m. and a parish vigil at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick’s or the Regina Foundation.

Eileen was born on August 12, 1917 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. She was the daughter of James and Anna Tucker Gatens of rural Cedar Valley, IA. Eileen attended Springdale consolidated schools and was the last surviving member of St. Patrick’s 1935 high school graduating class of twenty five. Eileen went on to graduate from Irish's Business College in Iowa City in 1938. She was employed in the X-ray department at Mercy Hospital, she then was a secretary at Nagle Lumber Company and worked at Henry Louis Drugs. In later years, she enjoyed many clerical responsibilities at A.C.T.

On August 19, 1940, Eileen married Harold Martin Donnelly at St. Patrick’s Church in Iowa City. They were married 48 years. Eileen was very committed to and thoroughly enjoyed all that was involved with Harold’s renowned Irish tavern and his four terms as a Johnson County supervisor.

Eileen is survived by her four children: Ken Donnelly of West Liberty, IA., Jo Ann Punelli of Laguna Niguel, Diane Donnelly-Nelson (Wally) of Laguna Woods, CA, and Maureen Parent (Bob) also of Laguna Niguel, her five grandchildren: Lisa Punelli of Laguna Niguel, Leslie Punelli Weinheimer (Dan) of San Diego, Chris Nelson of San Rafael, CA, Megan Parent of Laguna Niguel, and Ryan Parent of Tucson, AZ. She was also blessed with one great grand child, Bennett Frank Weinheimer, of SanDiego,(who is expecting a little brother in April), her sister, Marguerite Knoedel of Iowa City, three sisters-in-law, Rita Gatens of Calistoga, CA, Veronica Gatens of Green Bay, WI., and Gladys Donnelly of Traer, IA, and numerous
nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; three brothers, Leo, Ervin and Melvin; her sister who died in infancy; her son-in-law, Frank Punelli Jr., and her granddaughter, Annie Nelson.

Eileen was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and enjoyed her many hours involved with the Altar and Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters, and God’s Helping Hand. Bridge Club was a well enjoyed monthly get-together for many years, as well as a sewing group, a special monthly birthday bunch and a weekly coffee klatch.

Eileen was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, and the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams. Great memories were made during seventeen summer vacations in Clear Lake, IA. with good friends and family.

Eileen’s children are grateful for the loving care given to our mother by the staff of Legacy Pointe in Iowa City and Ivy Glenn Terrace in Laguna Niguel. We would also like to publicly thank the many friends and relatives who sent our mother so many cards and letters over the past years.