Anna Mary Gorvin 1924-2004

READING, SPRATT, GORVIN

Posted By: Michael (email)
Date: 2/5/2004 at 17:23:40

Anna Mary Gorvin, 79, of 2014 I Street, Iowa City, died peacefully Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at her home surrounded by family following a lengthy illness.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00AM Saturday, February 7, 2004 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City with the Reverend Joseph Van Phung officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. The family will greet friends Friday from 3-8 PM at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a rosary will be recited at 7PM.
A luncheon at St. Mary’s Hall, Oxford will follow the committal service. Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or a fund established in her name.

Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com by clicking obituary/ condolences.

Anna Mary was born December 7, 1924 on a farm near Parnell, the younger of identical twins and the daughter of Barney and Anna Mary Reading Spratt. She graduated from Oxford High School and the attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. Anna Mary worked for Ford Hopkins Drug Store and luncheon counter and on November 26, 1949 she married James Edwin Gorvin, the son of Carl and Cecilia Newkirk Gorvin, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford.

Anna Mary was later employed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. During this time she attended courses to guide her to a career in nursing. Although she loved nursing, she found the importance in raising her ever-growing family. The Gorvin Clan began with the birth of the first most beautiful baby Pamela Ann Escher (Phillip) of Wellman followed by the much awaited sequel, Susanna Marie Breno (Joseph) of Iowa City. The third time was a charm with Patricia Jane Grosvenor (John) of Coralville and then along came James Edwin II (Cindy) of Solon to carry on the family name. Michael Thomas of North Liberty raced into fifth spot followed by the lean, mean fighting machine Barbara Jean Irish-Gorvin (Maureen). Then the almighty Bruce Joseph came a-rocking in. Anna Mary, an identical twin, had a set of twins of her own, a girl Paula Cecilia and a boy Paul William (Tami) of Coralville. Next came the sparkle in all the family’s eyes, Constance Lynn Mullinnix (Roger) of Iowa City. Bringing up the rear is Donald Eldon of Iowa City, our own little dear. That is a total of 11 children, 27 grandchildren and 18great-grandchildren.

Anna Mary enjoyed several hobbies which included playing cards, gardening, sewing, and quilting and of course, cooking, especially her rhubarb roll and garden stew. She has made pillows for all her children and grandchildren.

Anna Mary was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, VFW 3949 Auxiliary, charter member of the VFW Cooties, past president of the American Legion Auxiliary in Oxford, and a fifty year member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters.

Anna Mary’s gift of love, laughter and guidance will always be in the hearts of those she loved.

She is survived by The Clan; Her Grandkids; Chadwick James ( Michelle), Anthony Michael (Christine), Andrew Richard, Regina Marie, Katherine Ann, Angelina Marie (Michael), Joseph C III (Melissa), Harry Albert II (Jessica), Clinton James (Margue), Christopher Allen, Charles Lee, Calvin John, Carl James, Mandy Lynn (Christian), Amber Kay, Ashley Sue, James Edwin III, Sarah Ann, Roy Michael, Rachel Maryann, Kyle Nicholaus, Madison Maureen, Samantha Ryan, Jacob Wyatt, Adam Lee, Tyler James, Brianna Marie;
Great-Grandkids; Colton, Zachary, Trystian, Baylee, Scott, Matt, Jade, Hunter, Vance, Porsha, Aspen, Breckyn, Skylar, Joseph, Jillian, Aireona, Carly, Hannah; Her two sisters and two brothers, identical twin Luella May TePoel of Solon, Winifred Holland of Iowa City, and William and Richard Spratt, both of Oxford; sisters-in-law Helen Spratt of Oelwein and Marge McGurk of Oxford; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Anna Mary was preceded in death by her cherished and loving husband James; her son Bruce and daughter Paula; her parents; brother Bernard and sister Mary Genevieve McDaniel; former son-in-law Harry Hesseltine; sisters-in-law Mary Kutcher and Gretchen Spratt; brothers-in-law Eldon Kutcher, William McGurk, Paul Holland, Max McDaniel and Leonard “Tiny” TePoel.