Margaret Mary Reidy, 91, of Waterloo, died Monday, April 2, 2012, at her home. She was born August 9, 1920, in Halbur, daughter of Clarence A. and Bessie Flynn Cadam Potter. She married James Martin Reidy at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on May 14, 1973. Margaret graduated from Pitze's Beauty School and attended the University of Northern Iowa. Mrs. Reidy retired from the University of Northern Iowa Library in 1991 after twenty years of employment.
She is survived by five sons, Jim (Barb) of Waterloo, Mike (Cheryl) of Rancho Santa Fe, California, Bob (Chris) and Terry (Cherie), both of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Pat (Karen) of Dubuque; three daughters, Cathy (Bill) Ragen, Sarah (Gene) Oberst and Mary (James) Lynch, all of Chicago; a son-in-law, Mike Taffe of Arlington Heights, Illinois; twenty-eight grandchildren, Jim (Shari King) Reidy, Laura (Duane) Dawson, Diane (Tom) Kremer, Nancy (Tim) Freeland, David and Brenda Reidy, Katie (Arianne Carey), Liz (Kim Smith) and Bill (Claire) Ragen, Shannon (Jeff) Diltz, Michael O'Connor (Lindsay) Reidy, Meghan (Rob) Brainard, Kristin (Clayton) Reidy-Howatt, Kelly (Lance) Napper, Rob Reidy, Peggy (John) Porcelli, Carrie (Bob) Donovan, Jenny (John) Doran, Erin (Steve) Sencion, Michael Taffe, Maggie and Mickleen Oberst Patrick John, Katie-Beth, Michelle and Bridgett Reidy, and Marie and Jimmy Lynch; fifty-one great-grandchildren; five nephews, Bill (Arlene) Jans, Larry (Bev) Jans, Ron (Mary) Jans, Kenny (Julie) Jans and Rick (Barb) Jans; and a son-in-law, Mike Taffe.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy Taffe; an infant son, John; two sisters, Mildred (Dirk) Jans and Marie E. Potter; a niece, Marie Rolf, and three nephews, Joseph, Roger, and Patrick Jans.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Public visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway. The casket will not be open at the church on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church or Columbus High School.
Margaret was a member of the Amercadettes (an all-girl dance band) during World War II; was a member of the American Legion Concert and Marching Band; and held various offices in the Navy Mother's Club of America. She had been an organist for St. John's Catholic Church (now Queen of Peace) for many years, playing for the congregation up until her death.
Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded April 5, 2012.