Ann Crowley

ANN MARIE CROWLEY

Iowa City

Ann Marie Crowley was born March 20, 1923, the second daughter of Walter and Matilda Harms Cassidy on a farm near Flandreau, S.D. She died Aug. 16, 2017, surrounded by love.

Her family moved from

the farm to Minneapolis

when she was a teenager. She graduated from the

University of Minnesota with a degree in dietetics. She followed that up with a master's degree a number of years later. She received her doctorate in hospital and health administration from the University of Iowa in 1977.

Our mom was a role model to her children and many others, as she pursued a full-time professional career and raised seven children. She was director of the dietary department at Abbott Hospital in Minneapolis in the 1950s and '60s. In 1965, she accepted the position of associate professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Iowa and director of nutrition services at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic. She was affiliated with the hospital for over 15 years.

Dr. Crowley served as a visiting professor and consultant for the U.S. government, health care organizations and facilities, business and industry, in Brazil, Iran and Colombia. She served as director of consumer affairs and on the board of directors for the Nash Finch Company for 32 years.

She also wrote weekly food and nutrition columns carried by newspapers throughout the Midwest for 32 years. She had a weekly radio program on WBBM in Chicago for 15 years. She was a woman well ahead of her time.

The word "retirement" did not exist in our mom's nature or vocabulary. In 1998, at the age of 75, she returned to school to become a professional photographer specializing in food photography, along with taking up scuba diving as a new pastime, diving the Great Barrier reef later that year.

She was an avid world traveler. She photographed markets in 32 countries and six continents. This led to the publication of three books, "Favorite Recipes from Iowa Bed and Breakfast," "Favorite Recipes from Northern California Inns" and "European Farmer's Market Cookbook" between 2007 and 2013.

In the last 15 years, she had been a member and tireless organizer for the University of Iowa's Culture Club, as well as a Gourmet Club and Investment Club. Her love of people and her passion for food were legendary in the area, as anyone who was fortunate enough to experience one of her eight-course meals can attest.

Our mom was an eternal optimist, but the greatest tragedies in her long life were the death of her sons, Patrick and John Jr., and John Sr., her husband of 47 years.

She leaves behind her six surviving children, Kate (Mike Link), Thomas (Susan DeSmet), Colleen (Dan Unti), Michael (ex-daughter-in-law, Nancy), Kevin and William (Mary White); her eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and countless friends around the world.

A vacuum in our lives has opened up, never to be filled. Our mom set an example for all of us on how to live a fascinating, healthy, productive, loving and long life; never stop learning or being engaged with the people and world around you.

Remembrances may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Table to Table in Iowa City, Iowa. Her funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Iowa City.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.