Mary Beth Ford

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ford, 64, of Bettendorf, will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bettendorf.  The Mass will be livestreamed and may be viewed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/ololbett/.  The rite of cremation will follow services and inurnment will be at a later date in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.  Visitation will be 4-7pm Friday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, and will begin with a Rosary at 4pm that all are invited to attend.  There will be additional visitation on Saturday at the church from 10-11am.  Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary or to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Mary passed away Monday, March 13, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, after courageously battling cancer for the past 2 ½ years.

Mary Beth Lyons was born July 4, 1958, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Gerard “Bud” and Rosemary (nee Coughlin) Lyons.  Mary grew up in West Des Moines, IA, where she graduated from Dowling Catholic High School.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and computer science from Clarke College, Dubuque. 

Mary started her career at John Deere, and shortly after she met her future husband, Kevin Ford. They were united in marriage on October 6, 1984, in Moline.

During her 20-year career at John Deere, she held roles of increased responsibility within IT.  After an impactful career at John Deere, she dedicated her full-time attention to her family and her children’s education.  She served Lourdes Catholic School in Home & School, as Interim Athletic Director, fund raiser, and coach.  She continued to give her talents to catholic education, eventually serving as President of the Assumption High School Board. She truly was the best wife, mom, and role model.

Mary enjoyed playing basketball, softball, skiing, and golf and later coached her children’s youth teams.  She was the biggest fan of her kids so she became a fan of the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

She was a very active member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish.  Through Lourdes, Mary found CEW.  Through CEW, she combined her passion for her faith, contributing to others’ lives, and connecting with people.  Mary gained treasured friends on every step of her journey, and her dear friends became part of her family. “Sweet Mary” will be remembered for her contagious laugh, her warm smile, her welcoming nature, and her faith-focused values. She genuinely cared for everyone who crossed her path and shared her fierce compassion towards family, friends, and strangers alike.

Survivors include husband Kevin; daughter Katie (Andy) Benjamin, granddaughter Emmie who called her “Yaya”, Whitefish Bay, WI; son Tim (fiancée Leslie Harrison) Ford, Bettendorf; brothers Michael (JoAnn) Lyons, Grayslake, IL, Andy (Nancy) Lyons, Duluth, GA; sister-in-law Cathy Lyons, Hartland, WI; father and mother-in-law Duane and Dorothy Ford, Oelwein, IA; brother in law Gregg (Karen) Ford, Fairbank, IA; sister-in-law Lori (Steve) Miller, Toddville, IA; and several nieces and nephews.  She also leaves behind a host of cherished friends made over the years throughout all of her professional and personal endeavors. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Tom Lyons.