Obituary of Mary Theresa O'Brien Harney

Mary T. Harney, 89 formerly of Oxford died at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford with the Reverend Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Tuesday at the Oxford Chapel of Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service where a parish vigil service will be held at 7pm. Memorial donations can be made in Mary’s memory to the Visiting Nurses Association or Oxford First Responders. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. Mary Theresa O’Brien Harney was born June 13, 1918, in rural Johnson County the daughter of Edward and Mary Ann (Seelman) O’Brien. She was united in marriage to James Laurence Harney on February 15, 1939, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. For many years the couple farmed south of Oxford before moving to Oxford in 1982. Mary moved to Coralville in 1997, while Jim resided in a care center. Jim died September 26, 1999. Mary enjoyed going to dances with Jim, cooking for family and friends, and tending to her gardens, flowers and yard, she loved mother nature. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford and the Alter and Rosary Society of the church. Her family includes two sons, Edward J. Harney and his wife, Betty of Oxford, Thomas B. Harney of Coralville; one daughter, Leanne Mottet of Holy Springs, NC; grandchildren, Annette and John Mottet, Heather, Megan, and Jonathan Harney; two great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Ayanna; and sisters-in-law, June O’Brien and Kathleen O’Brien both of Iowa City. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and four brothers, Ambrose, John, William, and Edward O’Brien. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Mary’s family and her services.