Geraldine A. McCarthy

Geraldine A. McCarthy, 91, of Prairie Creek Rd, Bernard, Iowa, passed away on December 9, 2018 at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church, New Melleray with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, at Holy Family Catholic Church where a wake service will be at 5:45 p.m. Family and friends may also gather after 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the church until time of service. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa is assisting the family.

She was born on June 25, 1927 in Bernard, Iowa to John and Mary Ann (Molony) McCarthy.

After receiving her education from rural country schools, Gerry went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dubuque.  She earned her Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Administration from Clarke College.

She began her teaching career in a one room school house in rural Dubuque County.  Gerry taught for the Western Dubuque School District at Bernard Elementary and Epworth Elementary, where she served as teacher and principal for many years.   She especially loved teaching young children to read.  Her teaching career spanned over 50 years.  

She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and an honorary member of the Dubuque Area Retired School Personnel Association.

Gerry’s home was a place of welcome for everyone. No one ever turned down one, or two, of her homemade cinnamon rolls or a warm slice of apple pie.  She took great pride living on the heritage farm where she was born.

Those left to honor Gerry’s memory include her twin sisters Marge McDonald of Cascade and Mary Miller of Dubuque; sisters-in-law Ethel McCarthy of Atlanta, Georgia, and Donna (Ken) Kutsch, of Dubuque and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Loretta McCarthy; her sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Walt Burds; her brothers Justin, James, and John (in infancy); and her brothers-in-law Phil McDonald and Joe Miller.

We know Gerry would want to thank family, friends, and neighbors for all the meals, visits, and care over the past years, especially the staff at Shady Rest Care Center and Above and Beyond.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to the Geraldine McCarthy Memorial Fund.

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