Mary Ann McVey October 5, 1942 – October 12, 2009

Mary Ann McVey, daughter of Frank and Juanita Blanche (Hall) Long, was born October 5, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa. Mary grew up and lived in Madrid, Iowa. Mary was united in marriage to Tom Floyd McVey on March 14, 1959 in Madrid, Iowa. They lived in Madrid until moving to Mount Ayr in 1986.
Most of her life has been devoted to her family. She loved kids even if they weren’t her own. If a baby was around, she was holding it. She was a very talented woman; she enjoyed painting, quilting, sewing and crafts. She was noted by her children and grandchildren for her homemade chicken and noodles and pies. She loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, gardening, family gatherings and, of course, a little gambling. She enjoyed listening to country music and fishing when she could. Her dogs, Maggie and Heidi, were her constant companions. She enjoyed her conversations with family and friends, especially her dearest friend, Mert Carpenter.
Mary was a mom to everyone; she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Mary also worked in nursing homes in Granger, Madrid and Mount Ayr as a C.N.A. She also worked at Small Coral as a cook and did catering. She was a member of the Methodist church.
Mary passed away on October 24, 2009 in Mount Ayr. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom McVey on January 8, 1998; granddaughter, Susan McVey; father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Hazel McVey, and brothers-in-law, Wayne Williams, Rex McVey, Butch Morgan and Jim Walker.
Survivors include her children, Rick McVey and wife Pam of Woodward, Iowa, Cindy Williams and husband Dale of Perry, Iowa, Nancy Houseman and husband Bill of Des Moines, Iowa, Tim McVey and wife Jackie of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Kelly Groves and husband Sonny of Mount Ayr, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Morgan of Woodward, Iowa and Donna Walker of Boone, Iowa; three brothers, Larry Long and wife Sharon of Madrid, Iowa, Robert Long and wife Sandy of Decatur City, Iowa and Bill Long and wife Melinda of Woodward, Iowa; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Williams of Weldon, Iowa and Judy McVey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother-in-law, Jerry McVey and wife Dorothy of Davenport, Iowa; her best friend, Mert Carpenter and husband Morris of Redding, Iowa, and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, with Rev. Skip Rushing and Pastor Larry Long officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Sarah Campbell and Katie McVey.
Casket bearers included Andy Williams, Blake Michelsen, Tom McVey, Tim McVey, Josh Groves, Doug Morgan, Ron McVey and Rex McVey.
Honorary pallbearers were Mandi Dunbar, Jessica Mallicoat, Amber Holland, Mecky McVey, Ashley Houseman, Kayla Morgan and Katie McVey.
Mary was laid at rest in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Most of her life has been devoted to her family. She loved kids even if they weren’t her own. If a baby was around, she was holding it. She was a very talented woman; she enjoyed painting, quilting, sewing and crafts. She was noted by her children and grandchildren for her homemade chicken and noodles and pies. She loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, gardening, family gatherings and, of course, a little gambling. She enjoyed listening to country music and fishing when she could. Her dogs, Maggie and Heidi, were her constant companions. She enjoyed her conversations with family and friends, especially her dearest friend, Mert Carpenter.
Mary was a mom to everyone; she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Mary also worked in nursing homes in Granger, Madrid and Mount Ayr as a C.N.A. She also worked at Small Coral as a cook and did catering. She was a member of the Methodist church.
Mary passed away on October 24, 2009 in Mount Ayr. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom McVey on January 8, 1998; granddaughter, Susan McVey; father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Hazel McVey, and brothers-in-law, Wayne Williams, Rex McVey, Butch Morgan and Jim Walker.
Survivors include her children, Rick McVey and wife Pam of Woodward, Iowa, Cindy Williams and husband Dale of Perry, Iowa, Nancy Houseman and husband Bill of Des Moines, Iowa, Tim McVey and wife Jackie of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Kelly Groves and husband Sonny of Mount Ayr, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Morgan of Woodward, Iowa and Donna Walker of Boone, Iowa; three brothers, Larry Long and wife Sharon of Madrid, Iowa, Robert Long and wife Sandy of Decatur City, Iowa and Bill Long and wife Melinda of Woodward, Iowa; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Williams of Weldon, Iowa and Judy McVey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother-in-law, Jerry McVey and wife Dorothy of Davenport, Iowa; her best friend, Mert Carpenter and husband Morris of Redding, Iowa, and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, with Rev. Skip Rushing and Pastor Larry Long officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Sarah Campbell and Katie McVey.
Casket bearers included Andy Williams, Blake Michelsen, Tom McVey, Tim McVey, Josh Groves, Doug Morgan, Ron McVey and Rex McVey.
Honorary pallbearers were Mandi Dunbar, Jessica Mallicoat, Amber Holland, Mecky McVey, Ashley Houseman, Kayla Morgan and Katie McVey.
Mary was laid at rest in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Mount Ayr.