Rose M. McMahon

Rose M. McMahon, 94, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Addington Place in Fairfield.

A rosary will be prayed at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, September 15th at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with visitation for family and friends from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield with Revs. Ross Epping, Stephen Page and Nick Adam as Celebrants. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Memorials may be made to The Lord’s Cupboard or St. Mary Catholic Church.

 Rose Matilda Leahy was born April 23, 1930, in Akron, Ohio. She passed away, peacefully, at home on August 22, 2024. She graduated from St. Mary of the Springs College in 1951, which was close to Ohio State University, where she ultimately met Jack McMahon. She and Jack married on September 13th, 1952 at St. Sebastian’s Church in Akron, Ohio. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2012, surrounded by friends and family. 

In 2019 Rose was named Volunteer of Iowa with the award presented by Governor Terry Branstad. Rose and Jack raised five kids in Ralston, Nebraska, Indianola, Iowa and Fairfield, Iowa. She and Jack spent parts of 26 winters in South Padre Island, Texas. Rose always cared for everyone around her and was active with the Jefferson County Home and The Lord’s Cupboard in Fairfield, Iowa. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield, Iowa, P.E.O. and the Fairfield Golf and Country Club where she loved to play golf and bridge. 

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ethel Leahy; her sisters, Joanne McCarthy and Kate Hamlin; her brothers, Billy Leahy and Mike Leahy; and her husband, Jack. 

She is survived by her sister, Patsy Monroe and sister-in-law, Donna Leahy; her daughter, Peg Bitsas and her children, Michael Bitsas and Quinn Bitsas; her son, Pat (Barb) and their children, Dan McMahon, Tim McMahon and Molly Hollowell; her son, Mike (Kat) and their children, Grant McMahon, Zach Zaborny and Tyler Zaborny; her son, Tom (Clarisa) and their children, Megan McMahon and Matthew McMahon; her son, Tim (Jane) and their children, Connor McMahon, Kyle McMahon and Abby Hanson. She is also survived by her 17 great grandchildren; Lila McMahon, Daisy McMahon, Colin McMahon, John McMahon, Grace Hollowell, Rory Hollowell, Grace McMahon, Madison McMahon, Finley McMahon, Maeve McMahon, Winston McMahon, Riley McMahon, Ella McMahon, Jack McMahon, Sam McMahon, Waylon Hanson and Palmer Hanson.