Mary Arnold, 73 of Davenport, IA passed away on October 9, 2024 after a brief battle with cancer, courageously fought with her family and dear friends by her side. A visitation will take place at Weerts Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Mary’s funeral service will be held at New Hope Presbyterian at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Her family encourages everyone whose life she touched to join us in saying goodbye. Please wear bright fall colors to help us celebrate her vibrant life and her love for the season. She will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park. Following her burial, there will be a reception for all at Cunnick Collins Life Celebration Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church. Online, condolences and fond memories may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com
Mary was born on July 18, 1951 to parents Fern (Kennedy) and Paul Thompson. Mary went on to graduate from Davenport West High School in 1969. In 1972, she married her high school sweetheart, John Arnold. Together, they had three children and 27 years in each other’s company. Mary was a devoted and doting mother, filling her home with love and song that still resonates in her children’s hearts to this day. Mary’s love of music and angelic voice led her to obtain her Bachelor’s in Music Education from St.Ambrose University. There was rarely a time when Mary wasn’t sharing her love of music with others, she sang in multiple choirs throughout the years and even taught voice lessons in the home; she would turn spoken words into song at a moment's notice. When she wasn’t focused on her children, she spent her time singing in church or ministering to others as a Stephen's Minister.
Once her children were grown, her faith became her career. She obtained her Masters of Divinity at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. As an ordained Presbyterian Pastor, Mary served as a hospice chaplain for several years with Compassus and found great fulfillment in her work. Eventually, she found her church home with New Hope Presbyterian where she led them in worship and song until her retirement in 2021. Mary continued worshiping with her New Hope family that she adored. Mary loved most to be with family, nothing brought her greater joy. She enjoyed board games, puzzles and watching movies with her grandchildren and rarely missed their concerts and sporting events. Her loving and lively personality is irreplaceable, and will live on in the lives of those she showered with love for many years to come.
Those left to honor Mary’s memory include her children; Joe (Sheila) Arnold, Katie (Wes) Arnold, Annie (Jeremiah) McMahon; grandchildren, Ella, Brooklynn, Kael, Hayden, Noah, Connor, Castin; siblings, Paul (Pam) Thompson, Donna (Ron) Timmerman and several nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Nancy Vaught, Georgene Good, and Judy Perry.
