Mary M. (Meyer) Nugent

Mary M. (Meyer) Nugent, 86, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on Monday December 23, 2024 at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday December 27, 2024 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, 2595 Rockdale Road.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday December 28, 2024 at the Church of the Nativity with Msgr. James Miller officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Mary was born on May 14, 1938, in Holy Cross, Iowa, to Edward A. and Frances E. (Gansemer) Meyer. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy and married the love of her life, Owen James Nugent, on September 29, 1962, at St. Mary’s Church in Dubuque, IA.

Mary was a homemaker and also worked for Dubuque Community Schools as a paraprofessional, supporting students with special needs. A woman of deep faith and devotion, she was an active member of Nativity Parish, where she sang in the choir, served as a Eucharistic Minister, participated in Bible study, and shared God’s word as a lector. She made it a point to attend mass and pray the rosary each day. Her love of music extended to her membership in the Sweet Adelines Barbershop Choral group, and she enjoyed serving as a Boy Scout leader, golfing, and supporting Bingo nights at the Knights of Columbus. She was always up for a game of Euchre, dominoes, bingo or Yahtzee, and was known as quite the card shark. Mary was a talented seamstress who loved sewing for her family, most recently her granddaughters. 

Mary was the embodiment of patience, kindness, and faith. A sweet and gentle soul, she touched the lives of everyone she met with her warmth and love. While we grieve this tremendous loss, we also celebrate the wonderful life she lived and the love she gave so freely. Her family finds comfort in knowing she is at peace and reunited with those who passed before her, especially her son, Michael.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Owen Nugent, of Dubuque; her children, Maureen (Steve) Knostman of Dublin, OH, and Patrick Nugent of Epworth; her granddaughters, Madeline Rose Knostman of Marysville, OH, and Colleen Lily Knostman of New York, NY; and her sister, Helen (Bill) Feyen of Dubuque, brother-in-law Dean (Mary) Nugent of Holmen, WI, and sister-in-law Colleen Nugent of LaCrosse, WI, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Frances Meyer; her son, Michael Nugent; her brother, Jerome (Bernice) Meyer; and her sisters, Anna Mae (Donald) Conlon, Mildred (Walt) Wedewer, and Dorothy (David) Kupferschmidt. Brothers-in-law Clarence Nugent, Bernard Nugent, Larry Nugent, Laddie Flynn, David Kupferschmidt, Donald Conlon, Walt Wedewer, Bill Feyen, and Dennis Thiele. Sisters-in-law Bernice (Jerome) Meyer, June (Bernard) Nugent, Lois (Laddie) Flynn, Phyllis (Bob) Benish, and Mary Anita (Dennis) Thiele.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Stone Hill Nursing Home and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Chris, for their compassionate care. Memorials may be directed to Nativity Catholic Church or Hospice of Dubuque in Mary’s memory.

Her memory will remain a light in our hearts forever.

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