Maria L. Creagh

Maria Luisa Creagh Perez-Guindulain, 95, passed away February 28, 2025. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines followed by a rosary service at 7 p.m. A memorial mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines followed by placement at Resthaven Mausoleum.

Maria was born May 2, 1929 in Chiclana de la Frontera, in the province of Cadiz, Spain to Fernando Portillo and Maria Luisa Perez-Guindulain Cabeza. She married Dr. Rolando Enrique Creagh-Larramendi in three separate ceremonies (in France, Spain and the consulate of Cuba). They both graduated from the University of Paris, then traveled for a while before settling in Havana, Cuba. In the following years, they sought political asylum in the U.S. and settled in West Des Moines, Iowa. Maria worked at Lincoln High School in Des Moines as a Spanish teacher until her retirement.

Maria Luisa Creagh, known lovingly as a wife, mom and Yaya in our family, was also known as Señora Creagh (aka “the Spanish Inquisition”) by her many students and fellow teachers and administrators at Lincoln High School. Her students meant so much to her. She was a person who loved teaching her native language, Spanish, and could strike a conversation with anyone. She was very strict yet loving. A perfectionist and an impeccably dressed woman who was also so mischievous, outspoken and sarcastic! We couldn’t have asked for a better role model.

Maria battled with Dementia her last 10-15 years. It slowly took her away from us, but she would fight back and let us know that she was still present. She still had her wit and fighting spirit to the bitter end.

Maria is survived by three children, Laura O’Neil, Alicia (Robert) Skow and Henry (Sharon) Creagh; seven grandchildren, Nathan O’Neil, Alex (Jaime) Duncan, Ryan and Rebecca Skow, Rachael (Tim) Michael, Molly and Mitchell (Amber) Creagh; and four great-grandchildren, Anya Duncan, Arlo Michael, Carter and Kayde Creagh.

We invite you to celebrate her life with us and to get to know her, as well as we do.