Betty Mahoney

Betty Mahoney, 78, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away, Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant. Friends may sign the registry book from 12 - 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. A memorial service, with Pastor Deborah Stowers officiating, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014, at the Memorial Chapel where the family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at a later date in Durham, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Durham United Methodist Church, the Vincent D. Mahoney Scholarship Fund at Iowa Wesleyan College, or to be given to the family for a charity to be named at a later date. Betty Mahoney was born on December 5, 1935 in Fort Madison, Iowa. The daughter of Carl F. and Ruth Agnes (Diton) Bollin, she spent her formative years in the rural Nauvoo, IL area. She attended a one room country school near Nauvoo and graduated from Nauvoo High School. She attended Monmouth College and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1957. In 1963, she received her Master's Degree in Physical Science Education from Michigan State University. On June 22, 1963, she married Vincent D. Mahoney in Carthage, IL. Betty lived in rural Nauvoo, Durham, IL, and Galesburg, IL. The couple lived in Walnut Creek, CA. They moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1970 where they have since resided. Betty was a member of Durham Methodist Church, but attended St. Alphonsus with her husband. For 50 years Betty has taught school wherever they have lived. Most notably she taught at Burlington High School for 28 years, followed by10 years at Iowa Wesleyan College from which she retired in 1998. While at Iowa Wesleyan, she taught new teachers and coordinated their student teaching experiences. A longtime educator, Betty participated in clinical and cancer research trials at University of Iowa's Research Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. Her contribution towards the scientific advancement of these clinical trials aids in the discovery of treatments for complex, difficult-to-treat sarcoma tumors. Active in many organizations, Betty held the office of president in P.E.O. Chapter Original A, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Retired Teachers Association. She has been active in Tuesday Club, Wednesday Club, Mentor Club, Entre Nous, Master Gardeners and Country Club on the River. She volunteered her time at the Pleasant Lawn schoolhouse during Old Threshers and for school tours at Old Threshers. Favorite hobbies included cooking and gardening. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, mainly in the United States. She has participated in many Elderhostels, a learning and activity experience for seniors. Survivors include her husband, Vince, of Mt. Pleasant; a sister, Emily (Dale) Eckhardt of rural Dallas City, IL; two brothers, Harry Bollin of Nauvoo, IL and Ed (Dixie) Bollin of Dallas City, IL; a brother-in law, Pat (Gail) Mahoney of Maryland; and two nieces, five nephews and their families. Preceding Betty in death are her parents; and a sister-in-law, Janet Bollin.