Ann Mooney Degnan

Ann Mooney Degnan, 93, passed away peacefully in her home on July 22, 2025. A memorial mass will be held 11:00 am Saturday, September 6, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Iowa. This will be followed by a committal service at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. A reception and celebration of Ann’s extraordinary life will follow.

Mom loved to knit. She created hats, sweaters and mittens for her five children. And she knitted special blankets as high school graduation gifts for her grandchildren. Labeled with the tag “Made especially for you by Grandma,” these were designed to provide some comfort for them while at college.

Without question, Mom would say that her most prized project was stitching together the fabric of her beautiful family, encompassing a 67-year marriage to our dad, the late Dr. Donald A. Degnan, five children, 13 grandchildren and nine (and more already on the way) great-grandchildren. Mom brought a smile, warmth and a unique sense of humor to all who knew her; as well as to those who just happened to meet her in a checkout line. She cared deeply about how she presented herself to the world, with refinement and class. She was always well put together in bright, happy outfits and her signature lipstick. Her children and grandchildren will remember her shrimp dip and secret Chex Mix recipe, as well as her heartfelt family prayer before Christmas dinner that left us simultaneously laughing and in tears; and her hilarious (and sometimes racy) stories about her adventures and encounters. She embodied the Mae West theory that “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Mom was born on February 13,1932 in Indianapolis, Indiana to William and Dorothy Mooney. As a child she had an amazing life filled with adventure, including a trip around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a race car. She spent her summers at the family cottage in Palisades Park, Michigan, a tradition that her family continues today. She attended Ladywood High School in Indianapolis and graduated with a teaching degree from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1954. She met the love of her life, Donald Degnan on April 21, 1952, in St. Louis while on a blind date. Knowing Don was the one, she grabbed a few of her best college girlfriends and fled to Europe for one last carefree adventure – a 72-day 16 country tour of Europe in the summer of 1956. She then embarked on her greatest life adventure, when she married Don. They were married on May 4, 1957, and moved to Dubuque, Iowa where dad started his dental practice and mom began her first teaching job. They loved Dubuque and called it home for 50 plus years. Mom loved playing bridge, hosting get togethers, reading and volunteering at Mercy Hospital pushing “the book cart” and talking with patients and their families. But Mom’s sole focus and passion was always dad and her children. Mom and dad lived each day for each other with dad anticipating her every need. They had a big community of friends and travelled the world together. They loved each other deeply and were so proud of all their children. We knew that mom was always available to talk, and that we could share everything going on in our lives. Mom never listened with judgement but with pure love and support. We will miss all the love and guidance she has given us our entire lives.

Mom’s faith was very important to her, and she regularly offered Novenas for a family member or friend, often saying “this problem will take the 57-day power Novena and I’m on it.” Based on the results, God was listening.

She is survived by her five children, Bill Degnan (Ann), Ellen Degnan Weber, Karen Degnan Sorensen, Donald Degnan (Kelly) and John Degnan (Lisa); her sister, Mary Joe Carr; and her brother Mike Mooney. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her brother, Bill Mooney; her great-grandson, Charlie Weber and beloved friends too numerous to count.

We would like to thank the staff and friends at Edgewater and the team at Infinity Home Care, who made the last years of our mother’s life comfortable and full of conversations she cherished. Mom’s memory will live on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and everyone who had the good fortune to know and love her. We will miss her every day.