Ann (McNamara) Bagford, 94, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully early in the morning of Friday, June 28, 2019 in her home at Oaknoll Retirement Residence.
Ann was born on March 29, 1925 in Streator, Illinois, the daughter of T. Earl McNamara and Gladys (Jones) McNamara. She spent her growing up years as the middle child of the J.A.M. sisters (Jean, Ann & Marge) in a wonderful, loving & caring family. One of her very favorite memories was to gather around the piano for a family sing-a-long, while Aunt Irene played. After high-school graduation (1943), Ann worked at the Owens-Illinois Glass Company as a secretary while our country was at war. Ann’s dad, Earl, was the person that was the most influential in her life. She learned so much from him and passed those lessons on to her children and grandchildren.
Ann received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Illinois. She worked her way through college as a residence assistant and eventually became the Dean of Freshman Women. She then headed to the University of Indiana to begin work toward a Ph.D. Ann never completed it as that is when she met the man of her dreams. Just a short 4 months after their fortuitous meeting on Valentine’s Day, they were married on June 5, 1962. She would always say, ‘Maidenhood to motherhood in just 4 months.’ You see, Jack had been widowed and had two young children (Jeff and Becky) and she gladly chose the role of motherhood over her degree. The new family set off for Jack’s job at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and never looked back.
Ann was a natural leader and played that role in nearly every organization she was a part of, and there were many! Here are a few that stand out; Ann was instrumental in starting the Coralville Public Library and then the ‘Friends of the Iowa City Public Library’. She was an active member of the NN (No Name) Book Club, an officer and member of P.E.O. for 70 years. Here are a few of her favorite things: playing golf, swimming for fun and exercise, reading, bridge with friends, bird-watching with Jack, volunteering for anyone that needed a hand and cheering on the Hawkeyes. She was the most proud of her four children and cherished those times when she could have her whole family together.
Ann was a very caring and compassionate person. She had a zeal for life and learning about every single person she EVER crossed paths with – truly, she never met a stranger. She had a curiosity about life and was a life-long learner – reading daily and attending lectures and programs of all kinds. Together with her best friend Jack, they were always learning new things and teaching life lessons to all whose paths they crossed. At heart, she was a writer and a historian. She corresponded with her family regularly and continued to honor that McNamara tradition by sending holiday notes to her nieces, nephews and their children. Ann’s family is comforted knowing she is back together with Jack, holding hands.
Ann is survived by her children, Jeff Bagford, his wife Michelle and children Lisa and Travis of Martinez, CA; daughter Becky Page, her husband Tracy and children Katie, Amy, and Molly and great-grandson Casen of Lubbock, TX; daughter Jane McCrill and her husband Mark and son Thomas of North Andover, MA; and daughter Pamela Page, her husband Roger and children Sarah Dougherty, Megan Dougherty, Garrett, Erin, Natalie and Arianna Page and great-grandson Lincoln of Overland Park, KS.