Lillian Mahoney

LILLIAN MAHONEY

Cedar Rapids

Lillian Irene Mahoney, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, on what would have been her husband's 100th birthday. Memorial services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Inurnment: Grandview Cemetery, Fayette. A prayer service will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with visitation concluding at 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Lillian was born May 22,

1925, in Hawkeye Township, the daughter of John and Harriett (Stevens) Smock. She attended Fayette Schools for first and second grade by horse-drawn sled in winter, Stanley School in third through fifth grades and Lima Country School, sixth through eighth grade. Her first job was babysitting two children and cleaning for her cousin, Hazel Arnold, during the summer. She worked at Johnson's Cafe in Fayette for several years. She married Hugh Benjamin Mahoney on Dec. 22, 1945, in Fayette, Iowa. Two children were born to the couple, Carol Kay, born Dec. 1, 1946, at home in Fayette, and John David, born April 13, 1950, in Oelwein. The family traveled several states in the central U.S. while Mr. Mahoney pursued work as a millwright, settling in Camanche, Arlington, Clinton, Wadena and Marion in later years. Lillian worked at the West Union Humprey's Cafe, Cedar Rapids Sun Mart Deli, Marion Maid-Rite and the office at St. Pius X Catholic, where she also was a member.

She enjoyed spending time with her good friend, Anita, who taught her the love and art of ballroom dancing, and participated in the 2005 Dancesport Classic. She enjoyed spending time with family, planting flowers, bird watching, cleaning her home and cooking. On Lillian's 80th birthday it was time to take her first hot air balloon ride, and on her 85th birthday, she celebrated at Clearwater Farm in Marion, with The Everett Boyer Orchestra.

Lillian enjoyed the many trips to Texas with her friend, Pat, in the 1990s and having brandy eggnog in coffee with her grandson-in-law.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Kay (Phil) Crawford of Marion; grandchildren, Bonnie (Mike) Vrba, Carrie (James) Nordman and Daniel Crawford, all of the Cedar Rapids and Marion area, John Mahoney of Boone, Melissa Claud of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mark Mahoney of Boone; great-grandchildren, Jacob Vrba, Kade and Kayla Nordman, Madison and Lily Ann Crawford of Cedar Rapids and Marion and Riley, Jarret, Makala and Kelcey Elizabeth of Boone. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Debbie, Denise, David, Gordon Joe, Scott, Lisa, Tina, Peggy, John Jr., Larry, Billy, Steve and Bradley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hugh Mahoney; her son, John Mahoney and wife Betty; her granddaughter, Elizabeth; her sister, Mary, and brothers, John Jr., Gordon, Rodney and Harold; and nephews, Mark and Darrin.

Memorials may be made to Disabled Veterans in memory of Lillian.