Mary Margaret (Mimi) Donnelly Moreland

Mary Margaret (Mimi)

Donnelly Moreland

Coralville

Mary Margaret (Mimi) Donnelly Moreland, 89, of Coralville, died Wednesday, April 9, at The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County, surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the Newman Catholic Student Center, 104 East Jefferson Street in Iowa City, with Father Ed Fitzpatrick and Father Chuck Adam officiating. Visitation with family present will begin at the Church at 10:00 a.m.

Mary was born on a farm outside Dougherty in rural Cerro Gordo County on November 11, 1935, the daughter of Raymond and Marcella (Polansky) Donnelly.

Her family relocated to Mason City in 1938, where she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1953. She then trained to become a registered nurse at the St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota graduating in 1956. Mimi started her first nursing job back in Mason City working for Dr. A. E. Hale, the same doctor who attended her birth on the farm.

In 1957, Mimi married John Norbert Moreland, and they relocated to South Bend, Indiana for her husband to attend the University of Notre Dame. While in South Bend, Mimi worked at St Joseph’s Hospital, and had her first three of six children, John, Jr., Maureen, and Kevin.

In 1961, Mary moved with her family to Ottumwa, Iowa, taking a nursing job at St. Joseph’s Hospital and had three more children, Michael, Patrick, and Joseph. Additionally, she served two terms on the Ottumwa School Board, served as the Executive Director of Hospice of Wapello County, was a lifetime member of P.E.O. and spent many hours volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she was active in the Altar and Rosary Society.

Mary was the matriarch of a big and active household at 139 E. Maple Street in Ottumwa. All her children’s friends were welcome at her home on Maple Street, and she was a kind and steady presence amongst the chaos of Moreland family life. She connected easily with people and was welcoming to all who entered, offering food, support, kind words, and humor.

Mimi moved to Iowa City in 2002, to create for herself a new life. Friendships formed, card groups, book clubs, travel abroad and becoming active at the Newman Catholic Center and St. Thomas Moore all filled the last third of her life. Mimi’s most enduring legacy will be her huge role in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Unconditional love, dedication, courageousness, faithfulness, selflessness, humility, humor and grace are just some of her characteristics that enriched the lives of her loved ones.

Mimi is survived by her children: John, Jr. (Kathy Schneider) of Des Moines; Maureen (Mark Dreusicke) of Riviera Beach, FL; Kevin (Charity) of West Des Moines; Michael (Sheri) of Ottumwa; Patrick (Jessie) of Dallas, TX; and Joseph (Kate) of Iowa City. She is also survived by four sisters: Ann Marie (Bill McGuire) of Bancroft; Ruth Feld of Kansas City, KS; Sister Martha Donnelly, PBVM, of Dubuque; and Kathy (Dr. Dan Rushing) of Indianapolis, IN; and one brother, John (Mary) of Mason City.

She is also survived by her 18 adoring and greatly loved grandchildren: Lauren, Anna and Mary Grace Mondanaro and Hannah, Matthew, May, Michael, Josie, Paddy, Nick, Sam, Grace, Mac, Finn, Ronan, Meg, Charlie and Jack Moreland; and one great-grandchild, Grayson Moreland. She is also survived by her former husband, John Moreland of Williamsburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Paul and Jim Donnelly; and a brother-in-law, Lyle Feld.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care Mary received from Ann Larew and her incredible staff at Creative Care Coordinators (Connie, Liz, Mallary, and Mary Ann), the staff at Grand Living at Bridgewater, Dr. Margo Schilling, trainer and friend Beth Pluemer, Iowa City Hospice, and The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Wapello County, Iowa City Hospice, or The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County.

While her family feels incredible loss, they rest easy knowing her saintly time here on earth lives on in her family and all those fortunate enough to know her.