Sallyann Lessner McCarthy's Obituary
Sallyann Lessner McCarthy, 72, of Coralville, Iowa and formerly of Clinton passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. Services will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at 12:00 PM (Noon) at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Clinton. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the service hour at the church. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. The Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig assisted the family with arrangements.
Sallyann was born May 10, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of George J. and Florence (Albrecht) Lessner. She was a graduate of Alleman High School, Rock Island, Illinois and Rosary College, River Forest, Illinois. Sallyann married Robert J. McCarthy, Sr. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline, Illinois on September 3, 1966.
Sallyann was the Director of Communications of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, as well as the Co-coordinator of the Clinton Franciscan Center for Active Non-Violence and Peacemaking. She was a member of National Communicators Network for Women Religious, a founding Member of Sisters United News of the Upper Mississippi River Valley and a Member of Clinton Peace Coalition. She was also an Associate Partner to the Sisters of Saint Francis, Clinton, Iowa for five years.
Sallyann was a member of the Muscatine Housing Commission, during which time she published “Historic Tour of Old Muscatine.” She was also a member of A.A.U.W., the Quad Cities Genesius Guild, the Iowa Catholic Conference, the Social Justice Ministry, Pax Christi, the Peru Task Force (Chair) and the Davenport Diocesan Action Commission. She was also active as a Lector within the Prince of Peace Parish, Clinton, Iowa.
In 1987 she received the YWCA Women of Achievement Award and in 2012 received the Martin Luther King, Jr., Peace and Justice Award.
Survivors include her husband, Robert J. McCarthy, Sr. of Coralville; daughter, Pegeen (Shawn) McCarthy Haigwood of Iowa City, Iowa; daughter, Laura (Gavin) McCarthy O’Hara of Chicago, Illinois; son, Robert J. (Kelly) McCarthy, Jr. of Clinton, Iowa; son, Peter J. McCarthy of Iowa City, Iowa; son Kevin T. McCarthy of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Harper and Eleri Haigwood of Iowa City, Iowa; brother, Richard T. Lessner of Bluffton, South Carolina, mother-in-law, Eileen McCarthy of San Diego, California; sister-in-law, Nancy McCarthy, BVM of Chicago, Illinois; brother-in-law, Michael (Sharon) McCarthy, San Diego, California; sister-in-law, Kathy (Andrew) Bonner, Vashon Island, WA; brother-in-law, Gary McCarthy, San Diego, CA; brother-in-law, James McCarthy, San Diego, CA; sister-in-law, Anne (Ed) Larson, Lancaster, California; sister-in-law, Tisa McCarthy Beck, San Diego, California; niece, Danielle (David) Lessner Henricksen of Belvidere, Illinois; great-nephew, Andrew Henricksen of Belvidere, Illinois and niece, Netanya (Tim) Lessner Dilsaver of Carey, Illinois.
Sallyann was preceded in death by her parents, George J. and Florence Albrecht Lessner, Moline, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Education Foundation for Financial Need and the American Cancer Society.
What’s your fondest memory of Sallyann?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sallyann?
Share a story where Sallyann's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sallyann you’ll never forget.
How did Sallyann make you smile?
