Mary McAvoy

October 12, 1934 ~ September 22, 2023
Mary McAvoy, age 88 of Alta Vista, IA, died Friday, September 22, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 29, 2023 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista with Rev. Jerry Kopacek celebrating the Mass. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista with Corey McAvoy, Kyle McAvoy, Kurt McAvoy, Chris White, Brian Mahoney, Brock Smith serving as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma where there will be a 3:30 rosary and scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Friday at the church.
Mary McAvoy, a lifelong resident of Alta Vista, IA, passed away peacefully in her home with her children at her side on September 22, 2023. Born on October 12, 1934, the daughter of Arthur and Rosemary (Sullivan) Gebel, in the same town she loved and called home, Mary lived a fulfilling life marked by love, service, and faith.
Mary received her education at St. Williams Catholic School in Alta Vista, where she was active in the school softball team and helped on the family farm. She continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College, earning her Teaching Professional Certificate in 1954. Around this time she met the love of her life, Joseph McAvoy. They married on August 10, 1957, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista. Their union was blessed with three children, Patrick, Ann, and Sue. The couple cherished their life in Alta Vista, enjoying the "Friendly Town" and the benefits that came with raising a family in a small town.
Mary had a long and fulfilling career as a teacher. She started in Greene from 1954 - 1957, before moving on to teach in Elma from 1957-1996. Known for her kind heart and nurturing ways, Mary was adored by students and faculty alike. She had a gift for helping young children become the best versions of themselves, and her impact on their lives will long be remembered.
In her free time, Mary and Joe enjoyed many activities together. They loved dancing to big band music at the Inwood in Spillville, fishing, and golfing. They also loved to travel and visited many beautiful destinations around the country. After Joe's passing in 2006, Mary found joy in her local card group, playing Euchre daily. However, family remained paramount in Mary's life. She loved it when everyone gathered at her house, especially during the holidays. Her face would always light up anytime the grandchildren or great-grandchildren would stop by to see her.
Mary was a woman of many admirable qualities. She was thoughtful, always considering the needs and feelings of others before her own. She was loving, with a heart that knew no bounds when it came to her family and the students she taught. And she was faith-filled, her belief in God and daily prayer guiding her throughout her life.
Mary is survived by her three children, Patrick (Jill) McAvoy of Denver, IA, Ann (John) White of Kansas City, MO, Sue Mahoney of Alta Vista, IA; her beloved grandchildren, Corey (Chelsie) McAvoy, Miranda (Brock) Smith, Kyle McAvoy, Becky Mahoney, Chris (Sarah) White, Kurt (Jamie) McAvoy, Brian Mahoney; her adored great-grandchildren, Owen, Aidan, Liam, and Declan Smith, Raelynn Schuchhardt, Adrian and Brody McAvoy, and Tucker White; and her two brothers, Steve Gebel of Alta Vista, IA, and Den (Terri) Gebel of Cedar Falls, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph McAvoy in 2006; and her brothers, Bob Gebel, Dick (Joan) Gebel, and Gary Gebel.
Mary McAvoy's life was a testament to the power of love, the importance of family, and the strength of faith. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and lives of those she touched.
Our condolences to the family
Sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to the whole family!!
My condolences 😢
Sorry for your loss!
Sorry for your loss! She was a great lady with a great smile.
So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss
So sorry to hear..thoughts and prayers!
Sending prayers to all! ❤️
My sweet Aunt Mary was the backbone of our entire family. Everyone who ever had the privilege of knowing her loved her. She will be greatly missed by us all. My sympathies to her kids Pat, Ann and Sue and their families. R.I.P sweet lady.❤️🙏
Such a nice, classy fun lady. Condolences to the family.
Our deepest sympathy to the family
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.
Mary was a very special lady. Her family has my deepest sympathies.
I’m sorry for your loss
So sorry to hear this. You all have my sympathy.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers.
So Sorry for your loss
Sympathy and Prayers to all the family. She was my teacher and was very special to me.
My deepest sympathy to all the family
God rest Mary’s beautiful soul❤️
Our sympathy to all of Mary’s family.
My sympathy to all. May she rest in peace.
Prayers to all the family
Hugs and prayers for all of Mary’s family! So sorry for your loss!
My sympathies and prayers are with you all 🙏🙏
Oh my
My sympathies to her family
Sorry to hear about Mary McAvoy. My sympathy
Sorry for your loss
So sorry to hear about Mary may she rest in peace. Sending hugs and prayers to her family.
So sorry to hear. Sympathy to all the family. Such a dear Lady.
My sympathies to the family! Sending 🙏🙏🙏of comfort!
So sorry to hear that! Sympathy and prayers for all the family
Sorry for your loss sending prayers and healing
So sorry for your loss
Rest in peace my friend
Sorry for your loss. Thinking of the whole family
Sending sympathy to Mary’s family. She was a special lady. I taught with Mary at Elma Elementary for 20 years. My heart is sad.
So sorry for your loss
Sorry for your loss!
So sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathy to the family.
So Sorry
So sorry, Mary was such a awesome lady!
Prayers for your family. So sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear this. What a lovely lady. My sympathies to all.
Sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for the family 🙏
Our sympathy to the whole family!
Deepest sympathies to Mary’s family!
So sorry for your loss.
Thinking of all of you!!
So sorry to hear this you have our sympathy and prayers to her family 🙏🏻🙏🏻
So very sorry for your loss. RIP Mary. You were a great card player and always enjoyed being partners with you when you needed that extra player. You lived a good life and you are now reunited with Joe. Will miss you!!
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of her family🙏💞🙏
My deepest sympathy to you all. She was such a wonderful lady. ❤️❤️
Our deepest sympathies to all of you…Mary was one of a kind, beautiful lady ♥️
My sympathies and prayers to the family
Our deepest sympathies to the family
So sorry for your loss.
My deepest Sympathies to the family.
So sorry!
Sorry for your loss.
May she rest in peace
Thoughts and Prayers to the family. She was a lovely lady and will be missed
Our sympathy to all the McAvoy family. Mary was a great educator at the Elma grade school for years. Such a kind and caring lady. Louise (Heying) and LeRoy Cutsforth
My sympathy to the family
Deepest sympathy
Pat, Ann & Sue , so sorry to hear that your Mom had passed away. She will truly be missed… RIP Mary.
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing! She was a great person. May the friends and family that are praying and thinking of you, help in your pain.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
My sympathy to Mary’s family. She was one of a kind, wonderful teacher to all of her students. Our younger sons still have great respect for the beautiful role model she was,
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers🙏🙏
Thoughts and prayers to Mary’s family!! She was always so kind and always spoke no matter where we seen her. Always enjoyed sitting in front of her at church until we moved out of town. She will be missed by all!! May her family and friends find peace and comfort in the days ahead!! RIP Mary!!
David Carrie and Hayley Zweibohmer ❤️
Keeping all of Mary’s family in our prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Our sympathy to Mary’s family. She and your dad were a fun couple.
Sending prayers to her family. Hold tight her memories. Jeanne and David Roder
Deepest sympathy to the family. 🙏❤️
Our sympathy to you,Pat, Ann, Sue and your families on losing your wonderful mom!! She was a tremendous lady and dear cousin! We often talked about us being the only girls in our families with all those brothers. She will be missed by many! Rest in peace dear Mary!!🙏❤️
So sorry, Sympathy and prayers for all the family!🙏🙏
So sorry ! Taught school at the same time Mary did ! Lovely lady !
May your fond memories bring you peace. Sorry for the loss of your loved one.
We will miss Mary, I remember going to Joe and Mary’s house and she always had lots of food for everyone. She was a wonderful lady! Love Debbie & Scott Bradley
Our deepest sympathy to Mary’s family. She was a kind and sweet lady.
Prayers For Strength & Peace During This Time Of Loss. Mary Taught My 3 Kids At The Elma Elementary. She Was Always Such A Caring, Inspiring & Patient Soul. Heaven Received A Beautiful Lady. She Will Live On in Our Memories. God Bless You All.
Rest in peace, Mary! She touched so many lives in the Elma area as one of our elementary school teachers! Thoughts & prayers for Pat, Ann & Sue & their families! 🙏💕
Sending hugs and prayers to the McAvoy family. So sorry got your loss.
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Mary was such a lovely lady!
Sincere condolences to Mary’s family. It always made my day to see her – Mary was my favorite teacher and 12 years later she was my brothers favorite teacher. Mary was one of the nicest people I ever knew. May she rest in peace.
My sincere sympathy to the family of Mary McAvoy.
My prayers and thoughts are with all of Mary’s family,she was a very special gal.As Tom her 1st cousin and class mate always called her. I’m sure she will be missed by many people.RIP Mary. Marian Gebel
A beautiful soul who will missed by many. Rest in peace Mary🙏
Mary was my confirmation sponsor when I was 13 and lived in Prairie du Chien, Wi along with my parents, Eleanor and Ray Gebel. I hadn’t seen her for many years until maybe 2018. She was a woman to be admired and this obituary is a wonderful tribute to her life and her memory. My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this sad time as they celebrate her life.
Marilyn Gebel-Sitts. Fairfax, VA
So very sorry for your family’s loss 🙏
Deepest sympathy to your family
So very sorry to learn of Mary’s passing; such a friendly, gracious lady. May she Rest In Peace. My sympathy to her family.
Sorry for the loss of your mother Pat. Our deepest Sympathies to the family.
I’m so sad to hear of Mary’s passing (Mrs McAvoy🥰). She was such a wonderful teacher and became a friend. I think I saw her every single time I’d come home at some event, and always at Mass. I will sincerely miss her warm smile and “Welcome home! How are YOU?” She exuded kindness. We all have so much for which to be grateful to Mary. She’ll be greatly missed. My condolences to her family. Alta Vista and Elma will not be the same without her.