Mary Jo Mcdonnell

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Jo McDonnell. She was a bright spark in this world and will be deeply missed by many. She was born to Vince and Alice Gaffey on October 21, 1937.

Mary Jo grew up in Savanna, IL where photographs and videos show her enjoying idyllic summers at their lake house swimming and horseback riding with her huge, loving family. Vince and Alice hosted countless parties filled with wonderful food and laughter. Mary Jo would reminisce about those days with great pride and joy.

She graduated from Savanna Highschool where she met the love of her life, Tom McDonnell. Together, they built Tom’s career in multiple cities in Iowa ultimately living in Ankeny, Iowa where they had five children (Danell, Diane, Darcy, Tom, John) who she truly cherished.

After the kids were grown, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with her parents, friends and extended family. She loved the sun, pool and spending quality time with her children and their families when they visited.

Mary Jo had an amazing sense of humor, a wonderful laugh and her wit was razor sharp! Many of her sayings will be passed for generations. She immediately lit up any room she entered and made an impact on so many people. From doctors and nurses to strangers in the grocery store they would immediately smile and laugh just as she intended. She was beautiful, funny, kind, and empathetic. The best combination of a human.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents Vince and Alice Gaffey, her husband Tom McDonnell, daughter Darcy McDonnell, daughter Danell Friesner, granddaughter April Friesner and grandson Dustin Friesner.

She is survived by 3 of her children Diane (Jeff) Jones, Tom McDonnell, John (Sarah) McDonnell, 5 grandchildren Amber (Dave) Williams, Maddie McDonnell, Joe (Jamie) Jones, Jessica (Pat) Caviness, James (Jenna) Jones and 8 great grandchildren Jared, Brynlee, Payton and Levi (Sibly IL), Elle (Savoy IL) Aliyah, Taryn and Brieya (Ankeny IA) as well as an abundance of beloved friends. We will miss her more than words can say.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois followed by a Celebration of Life service at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be at Ankeny Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Ankeny, Iowa. Family and friends are invited to share in Mary Jo’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Savanna Food Pantry (815) 275-1958 located at 118 South 4th Street, Savanna, Illinois. Mary Jo helped so many people and this tribute will continue to shine a light on her loving personality.