Loretta Reidy
June 17, 1922 ~ March 9, 2020
Mary Loretta Reidy passed away on Monday, March 9, 2020, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Loretta was born June 17, 1922, to Tim and Marie (Cashman) McAleer in Monti, Iowa. When she was seven years old her family moved to Ryan, Iowa. Her dad died in October of that year and she was raised by her mother, spending a lot of time with her grandparents, Tom and Elizabeth Cashman and family. She graduated from St. Patrick's in Ryan on June 2, 1940, and from Mount Mercy Junior College with an associate degree in Secretarial Training in May 1942. She went to work for Frank V. Orr, manager of the Wapsie Valley Creamery in Cedar Rapids as secretary and bookkeeper.
On February 17, 1944, she married Clement Reidy at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids. They lived 55 years, raising eight children on the Reidy Centennial Farm. Clem passed away in May 1999. In May 2000, she moved to a condo on Blue Jay Dr in Cedar Rapids and in September 2008, she moved to Assisted Living at Keystone Cedars.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clem; daughter, Kay; grandson, Kurt; her brother, Robert McAleer; and sister, Eleanor Monaghan; step father, John Duggan; and step sister, Mary V. Mangold.
Loretta is survived by her seven children, Marge of Dubuque, Sara (Joe Kane) of Cedar Rapids, Mary Pat of Marion, Teresa (Robert Horak) of Monti, John of Monti, Tom, (Carla) of Rowley and Rita (Dave Moeller) of West Des Moines; nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 5 ' 7:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday at St. Patrick's Church in Monti, burial following in the church cemetery. Dinner will follow the burial in Monti Community Center.
Loretta's family would like to extend a special thanks to Fr. Ivan Nienhaus and Penny Ackerman from St. Patrick's Church, Cedar Rapids. Also, a special thanks to the Mercy Hospice Staff and the staff and residents at Keystone Cedars who were like family to Loretta.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
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I have so many great memories with Loretta and her wonderful family. From the farm just always feeling so happy and loved there to the last time I saw them at Christmas time. From the great hugs and just the feeling of being around her. So sweet, caring and always so kind! She always made me feel so loved! Gonna miss you my birthday twin!! I’m so lucky to have gotten to spend the time with you when I did. Love you soooo much! And will miss you!
I so enjoyed when I was younger going up to the farm to visit Clem & Loretta every time we made a trip to Iowa. Loretta was always there to greet you with a warm smile and a hug. I am so honored she was my great aunt and dad’s aunt. She always made you feel special, which is an honor in such a large family. So lucky Liz was able to meet her.
Rita and the Reidy Family. We extend our deepest sympathy to you. She will always remain in your memories. Laura and Jack Staudacher
Our most sincere sympathy for the loss of your dear mother. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers , Dennis and Barb Sullivan
To all family members of Loretta Reidy, I offer my prayers and sympathy on your loss…not only your loss but to those who knew Loretta. She was such an admirable lady; always smiling welcoming. Sara and Marge, I knew you better than I did your other siblings, but I know that you treasured your mom so gratefully. Her love of God lives on through each of you and she felt that love. We’re not alone in this world, as your mom knew well; but we have Our Lord’s unending presence in our lives, and your mom felt His presence always along her journey in this life, and now she can move on to her special place of eternal rest.