Theresa Ann Garvey, 88 of Eldridge, Iowa, formerly of Boscobel, Wisconsin passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, May 29th, 2016 with her family by her side at Grand Haven Retirement Community. Theresa was born on February 26, 1928 in Seneca, Wisconsin to Edward and Delia (McNamara) Cody. Theresa was united in marriage to Bernard P.Garvey on December 29, 1953 in Boscobel, Wisconsin at Immaculate Conception Church.

Theresa was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in Elementary Education, where she also pursued her Master’s degree. Theresa began her teaching career in a one room school house and taught elementary education in the Boscobel School district for 32 years.

Educating children was Theresa’s passion and she worked diligently to help all her students. After moving to Iowa, Theresa told everyone she met; she “was a teacher and loved teaching”. Theresa’s dedication to education inspired her to establish the Theresa Garvey Scholarship endowment for graduating Boscobel High School students pursuing a degree in Elementary education.

After her retirement Theresa volunteered countless hours at Boscobel Elementary School and also taught religious education at ICC. Theresa was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making crafts for the church bazaars. She volunteered in the Boscobel Memorial Hospital gift shop. Theresa was a lifelong member of the ICC Altar and Rosary Society. Theresa and her sister MaryEllen were the cake ladies for many years at the annual Chicken Barbecue. Theresa and Bernard enjoyed traveling during retirement, often accompanied by her sister Claudyne. They also enjoyed Hawaii trips to visit her brother Dan.

Theresa is survived by her children, Delia(Kevin) Cahill of Donahue, Iowa; Joan (Robert) Reynolds of DeWitt, Iowa; Bernard M. Garvey of Argyle, Wisconsin; Anne (James) Nemec of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren Alex Cahill of Davenport, Iowa; Tyler Cahill of Des Moines, Iowa; Abbie Cahill of Ames, Iowa; Matt Reynolds of  Washington D.C.; John Reynolds of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Ellen Reynolds of Iowa City, Iowa; Tessa Nemec and Joseph Nemec of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also surviving is brother-in-law Kay (Pat) Garvey of Columbus, Ohio; sisters-in law Margaret (Lucien) Nedzi of McLean, Virginia; Sister Stephana Garvey O.P. of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin; Monda Garvey of Alexandria, Virginia; special cousins Sr. Maria Oppreicht O.P. of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin; Elaine Schmidt of Stueben, Wisconsin and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard; children Mary and Daniel; grandson Casey Cahill; brothers William Cody, Edward Cody and Daniel Cody; sisters Mary Ellen Watson and Claudyne Gies; brothers-in-law Rev. Francis Garvey M.M.; Thomas Garvey and Lawrence Garvey; sister-in-law Mary Tafelski.

Theresa had moved from Boscobel to Eldridge, Iowa in 2010 to be closer to her devoted daughters. Theresa lived at Grand Haven Retirement Community. The family would like to thank the staff at Grand Haven for their professional and loving care during her years spent with them. The family would also like to thank her special friends and caregivers Debbie and Kaitlyn O’Leary whom she loved like a daughter and granddaughter.

Memorials may be made to The Bernard and Theresa Garvey Scholarship endowment fund at Boscobel Education Foundation www.boscobeleducationfoundation.org

Visitation will be held at Kendall Funeral Home Saturday, June 4th from 8:30a.m – 10:30 a.m. The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Boscobel, Wisconsin. A luncheon will be held after the mass with burial following the luncheon at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Seneca, Wisconsin.