Gloriann Egan

Gloriann Egan, 78, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully at 5:15 a.m. surrounded by her family on October 19, 2018 at Stonehill Care Center after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.  

A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Nativity Catholic Church with the Rev. Dwayne Thoman officiating.  Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.  Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory 2595 Rockdale Road, where there will be a wake service at 7 p.m. 

Gloriann was born on November 8, 1939, in Dubuque, the daughter of Carl and Camilla (Fitzpatrick) McDermott.  She graduated from Visitation Academy High School.  She attended UW-Platteville and Clarke College, Dubuque where she pursued an elementary education degree.  She married Patrick J. Egan on October 12, 1963 at Nativity Church.  They shared 44 years of marriage.  He preceded her in death on November 27, 2007.

She provided a warm, loving environment to many children through her in-home daycare and her work at both Piglet’s Place and Nativity Parish Daycare Centers. She had a natural ability to make connections with others, especially children.

Gloriann’s devotion to her family and spirituality guided her life.  She cherished being a wife and mother.  She had an inspiring positive outlook and “can do” attitude. She was a faith-filled woman that always found joy in “precious present moments”.  Her warm smile, genuine care, light heartedness, quick wit, and kindness to others was contagious and touched many lives  She enjoyed going on scenic road trips, shopping, picnics, baking, dancing, but most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren and keeping family traditions alive.  

She is survived by 10 children, Kris Egan of Dubuque, Greg (Megan) Egan of Peosta, Angie Olds of Dubuque, Kevin Egan of Dubuque, Laura (Dave) Heiderscheit of Balltown, Mike Egan of Dubuque, Julie (Andy) Willenborg of New Vienna, Ron Egan of Dubuque, Amy (Brad) Blum of Dubuque, Erin Egan of Dubuque,  a brother Gari McDermott, a godson Jeff (Loretta) Sommers, a goddaughter Beth McDermott, a sister-in-law Alice Egan and Maxine Egan, 15 grandchildren, Lauren, Hunter and Katelyn Egan, (step-grandson) Brady Tegeler, LeighAnn (Andrew) Duve, Erica Olds, Rachel (Nick) Nurre, Ryan Olds, Matthew and Connor Heiderscheit, Nathan Willenborg, Madelyn, Benjamin, Allison and Andrew Blum, 3 great grandchildren, Daxton and Kala Duve, Parker Nurre and 13 nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick J. Egan; granddaughter, Faith Willenborg; parents, Carl and Camilla McDermott; her maternal grandparents, Harold “Hal” and Clara (Slattery) Fitzpatrick; her aunt, Adeline Sommers-Sweeney; two children through miscarriage; her mother and father-in-law, Hope (Dolan) and Edward L. Egan; a sister-in-law, Anna Mae Egan and two brother-in-laws, Glenn and Edward “Eddie” V. Egan.   

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care. 

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