Obituary of Marie C. O'Donnell

Marie C. O’Donnell, age 75, lifetime resident of this area died Monday, January 3, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11am Friday, January 7, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City with burial to follow at the St. Bridget’s Cemetery rural Solon. A time of visitation for Marie’s husband, Mike and other family members to greet friends will be held from 4 to 7 pm Thursday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Memorial donations can be made to “The Friends of St. Bridget’s Church”, which Marie was one of the founding members to preserve this church and cemetery grounds. To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Marie Catherine Maher was born on the family farm in rural Cedar County, the daughter of Harold and Catherine (Furhmeister) Maher. She attended Cedar County Country School until high school when she attended and graduated from Solon High School with the Class of 1963. On July 8, 1967, she was united in marriage to Michael O’Donnell at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. The couple made their home in Coralville and then Iowa City where she worked at the First National Bank and later assisting her husband, Mike in his real estate business. She was very proud of her home and delighted in social gatherings there. Very much the Hostess with class and charm. Marie and Mike enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii where they made several trips, always a favorite. She was an active member of St. Patricks Catholic Church where she was involved with the Helping Hands program. She was the family historian and took great pride in her genealogy work, but nothing compares to her hard work with the formation of the Friends of St. Bridgets group and subsequent work on the church and cemetery grounds. What started as a few ambitious members, has grown to nearly 4 00 members working to preserve such a beautiful landmark of this area. Marie’s family includes her husband, Mike; three sisters, Joan, Beverly and Joyce; a number of special nieces and nephews and a host of friends from over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Steve. A beautiful soul that was loved dearly and will be missed by many, rest in peace Marie.