Mary Lou Deedon

Mary L. Deedon, of Clinton, died Monday, October 24, 2016, at home surrounded by family and friends. Mary died after a very courageous battle with cancer. Mary was gracious, humble and thankful to the very end. She was 66. Visitation will be Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 3:00-6:00pm at the Snell- Zornig Funeral Home, Clinton. In lieu of flowers the family asks memorials be made to the family for her grandkids future education. Mary Lou Schneider was born Monday, September 18, 1950, in Clinton to William and Nelda (Kinkaid) Schneider. She attended Horace Mann Elementary, Lyons Middle School and graduated from Clinton High School in 1969. When she was in grade school she found her love for shopping while on a trip to Chicago with her dad. Mary hitchhiked around Europe from June 1969 until August 1969. Upon her return she attended Denver Women’s College where she studied interior design. In, 1970, while out with some friends, she saw a young man and she knew she was going to marry him. He became the love of her life. On, Friday, November 19,1971 she was united to marriage to Eugene “Geno” Deedon in Denver, Colorado. They have been blessed with the birth of two children, Casey Eugene in 1974 and Lisa Carlynn in 1977. Mary’s love for her husband and children were at the heart of everything she did. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and puppies. Mary loved decorating for Christmas every year and always made the most delicious lasagna dinner. Mary loved shopping (she could find a bargain anywhere!) and spending time with friends and family. Mary loved to travel. She cross stitched so many beautiful pieces over the years, she loved doing calligraphy. Mary could make a new friend anywhere. She loved cardinals, cows, dogs and the leaves changing in the fall. In 1974, Mary, Gene and Casey left Denver and moved back to Clinton. Mary began working at Kmart and was just going to work for the Christmas season and ended up working there for 27 years. She worked in various departments while there. She worked in the cash office, service desk and pharmacy. Mary made several friends there that today are more like sisters. After leaving Kmart, she went to work for Genesis VNA and Hospice for 7 years in the Clinton and DeWitt offices. She also worked at Community Action in Clinton for 5 years before retiring in 2012. Mary spent many years on the PTA at Horace Mann and some of those years as PTA president. She was also a room mother for several years for both Casey and Lisa’s classes. Mary will be remembered for her smile, generosity and kindness. Her laughter, love and friendship will be greatly missed. Not a day will pass that those who knew her best and loved her most will not think of her. She has left a lasting impression on so many people and has touched so many lives. When you see a beautiful red cardinal stop, think of her and smile. The family would like to thank the amazing staffs at Mercy North 4th floor, Dr. Anoop Aggarwal’s office and Medical Associates Oncology. Angela Andresen and Heidi Leavy from Mercy Hospice, you are both so incredible and the support and compassion you have given us is immeasurable. Lisa would like to thank her wonderful coworkers at UnityPoint Trinity Moline BirthPlace for their understanding, love, prayers and support during this time. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Eugene “Geno” Deedon of Clinton; children Casey (Amara) Deedon of Allen, Texas; Lisa (Paul) Watson of Matherville, Illinois; grandchildren Rheya, Gavan, Dominick Deedon of Allen, Texas; Grant Watson of Matherville, Illinois; her brother Paul Schneider, Clinton; sister in law Sandra Deedon, Brookfield, Colorado; brother and sister in law Raymond and Cheryl Deedon, Westminster, Colorado; five nephews, two nieces, two great nephews (and one on the way), three great nieces and several cousins. Sisters in heart Jan Filitti, Clinton; MaryK Papke, Miles; Soni Hook, Fulton; Suzee Erhart, Clinton; JeanAnn Johnson, Fulton; Gail Kruse, Fulton; Kathy Cano, Clinton and many many other friends she has met along life’s path. She is preceded in death by her parents William and Nelda (Kinkaid) Schneider and sister, Sandra Schneider Burlingame; mother and father in law Carl and Mary Rose (Lombardi) Deedon; maternal grandparents Ellsworth and Carrie Alberta (Johnson) Kinkaid; paternal grandparents Lyle and Mable Schneider and many aunts and uncles. Waiting for her on the rainbow bridge for her will be her beloved dogs Bo, Sammy, Tucker and Izzy.

Mary Lou Deedon

September 18, 1950 - October 24, 2016