Elizabeth "Betty" Jean (Doyle) McMahon

Elizabeth “Betty” Jean McMahon, 94, of Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Manchester, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Briarwood Health Center in Iowa City.  She was born on July 29, 1931, in Ryan, the daughter of John “Jack” and Elizabeth (Loughren) Doyle. Betty was raised in the area and attended Buck Creek Consolidated and St. John Catholic School in Ryan. After graduation, Betty attended Iowa State Teacher’s College.

On January 3, 1952, Betty was united in marriage to Harold John McMahon at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan. Eight children were born to this union. Betty taught school in Ryan from 1949 until 1954. She also worked at Manchester Publishing Company from 1967 until 1976 and then Houlihan Ag, Inc. until 1988. Betty and Harold lived in Manchester until Harold’s passing. She then moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1993, until moving to Iowa City for the last three years.

Betty enjoyed playing cards, and was an avid sports fan especially for the Hawkeyes! She loved any time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her five children, Michael (Gina) McMahon of Hayward, California, Kay (Chris) Fomon of Iowa City, Susan (Patrick) Hayes of Boulder, Colorado, James (Lynn) McMahon of Algona, and Jeff (Jacqueline) McMahon of Las Vegas, Nevada; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Korena McMahon and Ellen McMahon; one sister, Dolores Callahan of Mesa, Arizona; one brother, Larry (Jolene) Doyle of Hayward, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold in 1992; a daughter, Jean McMahon; two sons, Thomas B. and Dennis McMahon; three brothers, John Doyle, Mark Doyle and Jerry (Catherine) Doyle; and one sister, Lorraine Ward.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at http://blessedtrinitycluster.com

Memorials may be donated to St. Mary Catholic School in Manchester.

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