Elizabeth (Beth) Ione Mulcahy

Elizabeth (Beth) Ione Mulcahy

Cedar Rapids

Elizabeth Ione Mulcahy, 102, passed away on January 17 surrounded by family. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held for family and friends at 11:30 am Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Cedar Rapids Country Club. A private family burial will precede the luncheon.

Beth was born in Corning, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Ezma Gravett. She was the 5th of 10 children in the Gravett family. She graduated from Prescott High School and continued her education at A.I.B. on a basketball scholarship.

She and her sister, Ginny, went to work at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. At an Iowa dance she met the love of her life, RJ (Bob) Mulcahy. They married on June 1, 1946 in Des Moines. They relocated to Cedar Rapids in 1952 where they raised their 5 children.

Throughout her life she helped run several family businesses, but her primary focus and love was always her family.

Beth and Bob travelled extensively all over the world. In the summers, she loved entertaining family and friends at her home in Okoboji.

She is survived by her daughter Ann Mulcahy, her primary caretaker, daughter Janet Rusley, and sons Mike (Linda) and Dave (Liz) Mulcahy.

Beth was blessed with grandchildren, Matt, Marc, Erin, Emily, Kate, Andrea, Ryan, Ross, Dan, Brian and Molly. She was known as Gigi to her 22 great-grandchildren and recently a great-great-grandson.

She is also survived by daughter-in-law Diane Mulcahy and special sister-in-law Janice Mulcahy.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband Bob, son Bob and son-in-law Bob Rusley.

Special thanks to her wonderful care team, especially Katherine Frerick, who provided loving, compassion care for the last several years.

Donations may be made to Brucemore.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.