Conway, Mary Patricia

Mary Patricia Conway, 81, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at Oaknoll Health Center. Mary Pat chose to deed her body to the University of Iowa College of Medicine. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville. The Rev. Walter Helms will officiate. The family will greet friends before the Mass, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and following the mass at a reception and lunch at the church.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Iowa City Public Library and Iowa City Hospice.

Mary Pat was born at St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of Martin E. and Mary L. (Minton) Leadon. Growing up in St. Paul, she was a graduate of Derham Hall High School then located on the campus of the College of St. Catherine. In 1954, she earned a B.A. degree at Marquette University and then moved to Long Beach, Calif., where she taught elementary school for two years. Subsequently, Mary Pat returned to St. Paul continuing to teach school until her marriage to Thomas W. Conway on July 6, 1957.

The couple moved to Austin, Texas, and later to New York City where Mary Pat continued to teach. In 1964, they moved to Iowa City where Mary Pat earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Iowa.

Mary Pat was a 49-year member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and a charter member of The New Horizons Band playing clarinet for several years. Giving of her time, she volunteered at the V.A. Hospital, the Iowa City Public Library, the Iowa City school system and the Iowa City Senior Center.

Mary Pat had a keen interest in physical fitness. She was a longtime regular at the water aerobics classes of the North Dodge Athletic Club and an enthusiastic cyclist and walker.

Beloved wife and mother, she leaves behind her husband, Tom; daughter, Cathy Conway of Warrenville, Ill.; and son, James M. Conway of Iowa City; a sister, Jeanne Rasmussen (Fred) of Salida, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary Pat will be missed most for her caring heart, infectious laugh, marvelous sense of humor and especially for the kisses and hugs she gave her family on a regular basis.

Her parents and brother James died earlier.

Condolences may be sent to the family at .

Published in The Gazette Nov. 26, 2013.