Jessie Healy

Jessie Ellen Healy, 91, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2016 at the Greene County Medical Center. She spent her final days surrounded by members of her family and lifelong friends.  

Jessie was born May 3, 1925 in Jefferson, Iowa to Zelma (DeWitt) and Ora Shriver. She was welcomed home by two older brothers, Marvin (Red) and Douglas. Jessie graduated from Jefferson High School in 1943. She was proud to have drawn the illustrations for the 1943 yearbook, reflecting her artistic talents which would be seen throughout her life.

On February 21, 1944, Jessie was united in marriage to Jack Healy. To this union were born six children: Denny, Mike, Nancy, Joe, Sandra and Tim. After raising her six children, Jessie became employed by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher and then at the Jefferson Public Library. She ended her working career at the age of 80 designing beautiful floral arrangements for Krieger’s Flower Shop.

Jessie had a passion for horses. While growing up, she won many awards showing her horses. Jessie also had a love of cats, never turning one away from her home. Spending time with family, remembering birthdays of loved ones, decorating cakes, an avid love of flowers and her garden, and coffee with special friends were memorable past times Jessie passionately pursued. Her artistic talents will be remembered by all who knew her. For many years, she enjoyed painting eggs for the Iowa Egg Council which were entered and displayed at the Iowa State Fair.

Survivors include daughters, Nancy (Denny) Hebner of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Sandra Healy-Zeller of Newton, Iowa; sons, Mike (Jackie) Healy of Dixon, Ill., Joe (Cheri) Healy and Tim (Jane) Healy of Jefferson; daughter-in-law, Sue Healy Seifert; Pam Olson Ross; brother, Marvin (Red) Shriver; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, with number 25 due in November. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Pat Monthei and Alice Shriver and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Jessie in death were her parents; son, Denny Healy; grandson, Jamie Zeller; brother, Douglas Shriver; and half-brother, Ira Shriver.

A celebration of life will be held July 30, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Parish Center from 2 to 4:00 p.m.  Private family grave site services will be held at the Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson.

Brown Funeral Home, Jefferson.