Mary S. Whitehead, 87, a resident of Bettendorf, died Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Trinity Pathway Hospice, Bettendorf.
Funeral Services and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 1st, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4097 18th St. Bettendorf. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be an additional visitation at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting with funeral arrangements.
Mary Elizabeth Stevenson was born December 18, 1923, in Columbia, South Carolina, the daughter of John Blake and Mina Frances (Walker) Stevenson. She graduated from Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1945 with a Bachelors of Arts in Dramatic Art.
Mary was united in marriage to William G. Whitehead September 2, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dubuque, Iowa. William preceded her in death September 4, 1997.
Mary was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf, where she was the organist for many years for the funeral choir and other church functions. She belonged to the Contemporary Literature group at the Bettendorf Library. She was an Affiliated Mortar Board member and member of Phi Beta Kappa, National Fraternity of Scholars.
Mary was a very loving mother to all her 13 children, 32 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was always there to give them the support and guidance they needed.
The Whitehead family would like to thank Trinity Pathway Hospice staff and Dr. Francis Kane for all the support and tender loving care they showed to their mother.
Memorials may be made to St. John Vianney Music Memorial Fund.
Survivors include her daughters, Deb Hodgett, Geneseo, IL., Megan (Brian) Spriet, Plainfield, IL., Cathy (Mike) Davis, Dayton, TN., sons, Bill (Diane) Whitehead, Davenport, Steve (Jacque) Whitehead, Lakewood, CO., John (Patti) Whitehead, Davenport, Jeff (Julie) Whitehead, St. Helena, CA., Dan Whitehead, Bettendorf, Tim (Barb) Whitehead, San Antonio, TX., Chris (Kim) Whitehead, Bettendorf, Mike Whitehead, Bettendorf, Sam (Liz) Whitehead, Overland Park, KS., 32 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and a son-in-law, Dennis Crawford, Indianapolis, IN.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William, a daughter, Anne Crawford in 2004, a son-in-law, Gary Hodgett in 2005, and a brother, John Stevenson. May they rest in peace.
