Maryann Sexton

Maryann V. (Donner) Sexton, 68, of Iowa City, IA, passed away on February 9, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late Harry and Sylvia (Schwichtenberg) Donner.

Maryann is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Kathy) Sexton of Greenfield, IN, Christopher (Jody) Sexton of Geneva, IL, Katherine (Jason) Rees of Norwalk, IA, and Jennifer (Trevor) Bollers of North Liberty, IA; their dad, her friend and first love; Stephen Sexton of Iowa City, IA; her sisters, Carol (Donner) Puglia of Fox Lake, IL, Sister M. Suzanne Donner of Springfield, IL, and Jacqueline (Donner) Peters of Crystal Lake, IL; her brother, Neal Donner of Cary, IL; her God Children, Carla Puglia of Fox Lake, and Greg Fues of Arlington, TX; her grandchildren, Sydney, Caleb, Riley, Hannah, TJ, Charlie, Teagan, Cameron, Texton, and Tarissa; her best friend, Helen (Sexton) Bennett of Bellevue, TX; and several wonderful nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Kelly; her parents, Harry and Sylvia (Schwichtenberg) Donner; her brother, Jerome Donner; and her brother-in-law, Michael Puglia.

Maryann was born on March 21, 1947 in Oshkosh, WI. She graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1965, and later continued her education at Michigan State University earning certifications in Master Gardening and Nursery Operations. Maryann spent many years working and perfecting her skills in Retail Management at firms such as Seifert’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hanes, Costco, and Sexton Shoes. Her most recent occupation was as a receptionist with Professional Property Management in West Des Moines, IA.

Maryann was a wonderful cook, and always made the holidays so special with her goodies and well planned dinners. She enjoyed making visits to her grandchildren for their birthdays and sporting events, and would always make them feel very special. She was an active and dedicated volunteer at the St. Louis Botanical Center, as well as numerous Animal Shelters in cities she lived in throughout the years.

A celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., (Rte 176), Crystal Lake, IL. Visitation hours are from 2:00 – 6:00 pm, with a memorial service following at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other support staff at Emerson Point, Iowa City Hospice, and the University of Iowa’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, for their dedication and support over the past year.