Margaret Grady

Margaret Frances (Shields) Grady was born on April 9th, 1920 in Dunlap, to Patrick J. and Mary B. (O'Connor) Shields. Margaret grew up in Dunlap and graduated from St. Joseph School in 1937. Following graduation Margaret went to Omaha, NE to work at St. Joseph Hospital. Margaret then went to Normal Teacher's College (University of Northern Iowa) Cedar Falls, IA. and received her teaching certification for country schools.
Margaret returned to Dunlap and taught at a country school not far from town. On May 16, 1940 Margaret was united in marriage with Norbert Grady. The couple lived near Dunlap and farmed for the first several years of their life together. They purchased a farm near Woodbine in 1944 and lived for 56 years. Margaret and Norbert would be blessed with nine children.

Margaret was active in her church, Sacred Heart, in Woodbine, Iowa. She played a major role in the founding of the Harrison County Association for Retarded Citizens, and was an advocate for the mentally handicapped throughout her life. Margaret was also politically active and served as a volunteer in many capacities. She was an avid reader, enjoyed sewing and creating banners for use at church. Many enjoyed Margaret's artistic talents in floral arrangement as she provided the flowers for Sunday Mass at church for years.

Margaret died on Monday, February 20, 2012, at her home in Woodbine, IA at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 11 days.

Preceding Margaret in death was her husband Norbert on May 1, 1996; son, Thomas on May 25,1965; sister, Millicent Johnson Broom; brother, Patrick Shields; sister-in-law, Patricia Shields; brother- in-law, Paul Rannells; brother-in-law, Hilton Grady; sister-in-law, Wanda Grady; brother-in-law, Wendall Grady, and brother-in–law, Bob Grady. Margaret is survived by one sister, Lois Rannells of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her children Mike Grady (Mary) of Joliet, Il, Mary Berry (Tom) of Winterset, IA, Peg Ritchie (Fred) of Cedar Falls, IA, Nora Ladewig of Milwaukee, WI, Timothy Grady (Kathleen) of Dunlap, IA., Nan Kiel (Scott) of Orange City, IA, Robert Grady (Mara) of Austin, TX, and Sheila Grady of Woodbine, IA; 19 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Myrtue Hospice, Harlan, Iowa or the Oikos Sisters, Borongan, Philippines.