Mary Carroll

Mary Frances Carroll, 92, of Bettendorf, died Friday, September 21, 2012 at Franklin General Hospital, Nursing Care Facility in Hampton, Iowa.

Memorial services for Mary will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts in her honor may be made to the Bettendorf Public Library or the Audubon Society in care of McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, 644 River Dr. Bettendorf, Iowa.

Born on January 25, 1920 in Memphis, TN she was the oldest of the three daughters of Hector M. and Frances (Allen) Whiley. On April 20, 1940 in Davenport, IA, she married Paul V. Carroll and they spent their years together at their home on Ridgeway Court in Bettendorf, where they raised their three sons.   Paul preceded her in death on March 6, 1991.

Mary had a career as an administrative assistant for Bettendorf Community Schools for 23 years. She also previously worked for the Bettendorf Company and Paraland Oil Company.

Mary was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bettendorf and the Bettendorf Lionels. After retirement she enjoyed regular lunches with her colleagues from the Bettendorf Schools and weekly telephone conversations with her good friend, Marge Overett. She enjoyed reading, bird watching, playing cards, and spending time with her family and friends.

Known to her husband Paul and her close friends as “Duff,” Mary endeared herself to many through her incisive wit and direct, but kind and gentle, communication. She “told it as it is.” She did not suffer fools gladly, particularly her sons, to whom she gave unqualified love and respect. They returned that love and respect to her.

Mary was comfortable with herself. She died in her sleep, a content, optimistic person, looking forward to the next day to read and to practice walking so she could return to Ridgeway Court.

Mary loved to discuss and debate politics. Her children have fond memories of spirited dinner table political debates. When she arrived at the Hampton nursing home several weeks ago, she requested a TV so she could watch the Democratic convention in general and Presidents Clinton and Obama in particular. She was a life-long Republican until Obama ran for office.

Those left to honor her memory include her sons: Steve Carroll and his wife Wendy Abrahamson of Hampton, IA and Brian Carroll and his wife Mary of Woodbridge, VA; seven grandchildren: Tammy, Terri, Garren, Ryan, Jennifer, Kate and Chris; thirteen great-grandchildren: Andrew, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Jack, Nyah, Libby, Rosemary, Christian, Chloe, Tommy, Linnea, Taylor and Shane;  and one great-great grandson, Danny. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Rachel Carroll, who with Mary’s son David, cared for her for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, David Carroll, a sister, Dorothy, and one sister in infancy.

Condolences may be made to Mary’s family by viewing her obituary at www.mcginnis-chambers.com .