Marie Theresa McClaflin

Marie Theresa Celsy was born on March 20, 1929 in her Grandmother’s home on the South Side of Des Moines to Italian immigrants Rose (Barber) and Joseph Celsy. She passed away peacefully at the age of 92 at Edgewater Community surrounded by her family on October 10, 2021 due to complications of a stroke. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 16 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass following at 10:30 am. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.

Marie was a lifelong resident of Des Moines attending Casady Grade School and graduating from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1947. She spotted “the tall handsome man at the gas station” and made sure that her car had numerous issues requiring many visits to get her vehicle repaired. Persistence paid off and she married the love of her life, Dean McClaflin, on May 6, 1951 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church where they have been members for over 70 years. Following their wedding, Dean was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War. After his discharge, they began their family and had three sons: Jim, John and Mike.

She worked various jobs, mostly at night, caring for her children during the day and keeping the home. She ultimately retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1985 after more than 20 years. Throughout her life, Marie was the epitome of caregiver; always the “go-to” for family and friends. Thursdays and Fridays were dedicated to her mother-in-law, Georgia, and mother, Rose to take care of any errands they had and usually ending with lunch or dinner. The rest of her time was dedicated to her family, especially her grandchildren. She described these as her most treasured days during retirement.

Dean and Marie owned an original 1957 Chevy Bel Air. As members of the Tri-Five Chevy Club they spent many evenings and weekends attending car shows and other club sponsored events, many of them organized under her guidance. She spent many years bowling in several leagues and attended national championships on multiple occasions. She played bridge weekly for many years and was an avid supporter of the performing arts attending many shows at the Civic Center and other venues. She herself played the drums in a band w/ her brother for Veterans during WWII and was also a pianist most of her life. She was a golf enthusiast and spent many an hour watching tournaments on TV or in person. She loved all sports and was especially dedicated to her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. Nothing, however, exuded her passion for family and friends and gathering them all together for a large meal. Her family loved to walk into her house to the aroma of homemade sauce and meatballs or wake-up to her signature French toast. Marie welcomed all who entered with open arms and friends often became family. She was never happier than when her home was filled with people and noise, even if she often bore the brunt of the teasing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; mother, Rose Zachar, beloved Step-Father, John Zachar, father Joseph Celsy, brother Fred Celsy, step-brother William Zachar; in-laws Glen and Georgia McClaflin, several “brothers and sisters” by marriage, two grandsons, Jacob and Joseph McClaflin and numerous treasured friends.

Left to carry on her legacy of love are her children: Jim, John (Leslie), and Michael (Lyse). Sister, Linda (Gary) Groves, and her remaining “brothers and sisters” by marriage; Frances (Tom) King, Ida (Bill) Carpenter, Jim (Bonnie) McClaflin, Janice McClaflin and Rex (Julie) McClaflin. Also her grandchildren: Jenny (Kevin) Cline, Kevan and Andrew McClaflin, and Kyle and Katie McClaflin. In addition, there are four great-grandchildren; Dean, William, Georgia, and Grace Cline along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Marie’s beloved organizations in her honor: Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The family would like to thank the many people at Edgewater for the loving care and compassion they gave Marie over the past few years. Most of all, continue to love your people as she did - generously and unconditionally with a dash of sass.