Memorial
Mary Joan (MaryJo) McAlister passed away on October 10, 2026, in Cedar Rapids. She was 98 years young. Visitation will be on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the Cedar Memorial Park Stateroom in Cedar Rapids. Additional visitation will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with the Celebration of Life Service immediately following at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Interment will be at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
MaryJo was born on May 23,1928, in Oak Park, Illinois to James and Mildred (Buckner) McNeill. MaryJo and the family moved to Cedar Rapids when she was six years old, and she graduated from Roosevelt High School. She worked for Cedar Rapids public schools for ten years. Following that, she was an Administrative Secretary for Iowa Electric Light and Power Company for 23 years before retiring. She was married to Richard Ferguson on September 24,1949 and they were later divorced. She married Donald McAlister on October 4, 1969, and enjoyed 40 years of marriage until his death in 2010. MaryJo and Don loved to travel, visiting numerous Caribbean Islands, Hawaii many times and even Europe, often following the University of Iowa Women's Basketball team of whom she was an ardent fan and season ticket holder.
MaryJo was a member of St. James Methodist Church. She was an avid bowler for over 60 years participating in local leagues and 29 consecutive National Bowling Tournaments. In addition, she volunteered at St. Lukes Hospital for 17 years after retirement. MaryJo loved sewing and knitting, teaching these skills to grandchildren and one niece in particular. She also loved celebrating holidays and decorating her home for each of them, but Christmas was her favorite. Every year she assembled a large Christmas Snow Village on her extended dining room table, excited to show the display to family and friends. MaryJo also baked dozens of Christmas cookies that she happily shared with family and friends.
MaryJo is survived by her children, daughter Penny Ferguson, Cedar Rapids, grandson Todd Ferguson (Felicia), great grandson Dakota Ferguson (Aaliyah), great-great granddaughter Aria Ferguson, great granddaughter Savannah Ferguson, son Steven Ferguson (Anita), Green River, Wyoming, granddaughter Christina Morris (Aaron), grandson Evan Ferguson (Julie), great granddaughter Annabel Ferguson, great grandson Liam Ferguson, granddaughter Ilana Ferguson, stepson Glenn McAlister, Florida (Barbara), grandson Don Williams, Merrill, and great grandson Jake Williams. Also, nephews Rick Clarkson, James McNeill, nieces Dianne Wagner, Barb Henderson, and Marcia Kelly, along with many great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her parents and siblings, brother James McNeill, Jr, sister Judy Nesper, stepdaughter Patricia Williams and niece Theresa Needham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the St. James Kids Club (Trinity-St. James Methodist Church, 1430 Ellis Blvd., NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405) or The Methwick Community (1224 13th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405) where she lived since 2018.