Mary O'Donnell

Born in Ryan, IA
Born on Jul 7, 1938
Departed on Dec 3, 2022

Memorial

Mary JoAnn O’Donnell, 84, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on December 3, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Visitation: 9:30 – 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. Private Inurnment: Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids at a future date. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family.

JoAnn was born on July 7, 1938, to Bernard and Vera (McDonnell) Houlahan in Ryan, Iowa. After she graduated from high school, she went to Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and later worked at Consolidate Credit. She met the love of her life Ed O’Donnell, and they were married on November 3, 1962. As JoAnn often said, they began their adventurous life together, moving to Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN, St. Louis, MO, Cleveland, OH, and finally back to Davenport and Cedar Rapids, IA. JoAnn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. JoAnn’s love was the glue and rock for her family. 

She is survived by her husband Ed O’Donnell, children Michael (Ann) O’Donnell, Ellen (Matt) Bradley, Margaret O’Donnell, and Timothy O’Donnell, grandsons Ryan (Alyssa) Bradley and Kevin O’Donnell, granddaughters Sara (Parker) Erickson, Madeline O’Donnell, and Hannah O’Donnell, great grandchildren Tracy and Tyler Bradley and Bradley Erickson, one sister Maureen (Miles) McDonald, and many nieces and nephews. 

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Vera Houlahan, sister Connie (Mark) Cox, granddaughter Molly Bradley, and step grandson Adam O’Donnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to your favorite charity.