Barbara Jane (Boyle) Feeney
Barbara Jane (Boyle) Feeney
Iowa City
Barbara Jane (Boyle) Feeney, formerly of Briarwood Care Center, passed away on May 25, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City after a brief illness.
Barbara’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City Hospice, the staff at Briarwood Care Center, and Father John Lamansky for their compassionate care over the past four months.
Barbara, affectionately known as Barb, was born on January 10, 1931, to Francis and Eugenia (Lechty) Boyle at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. She grew up on Oakland Avenue, attended Longfellow elementary School, and Central Junior High, and graduated from Iowa City High School in 1949. While attending Marycrest College in 1950, she met her future husband, Richard (Dick) Feeney, during summer jobs at J.I. Case Company in Davenport. They married on May 23, 1953, at St. Wenceslaus Church in Iowa City and initially lived at the Melrose Apartments while Dick completed Radiologic Technology training at the University of Iowa Hospital. In 1957, they moved to 527 Ronalds Street, where they raised four children, and in 1972, they relocated to Linden Road, where they enjoyed their new home and neighbors.
Barb worked as a clerk at the Johnson County Treasurer’s Office and later part-time at the University of Iowa Hospital in the Radiology Department, but her primary role was as a devoted stay-at-home mom. She actively participated in the PTO at Horace Mann and Hoover Schools, often serving as Room Mother in her children’s classrooms. Barb and Dick also volunteered as Boy Scout leaders, where Barb enjoyed planning craft activities.
In her later years, Barb babysat her grandchildren and cared for her elderly parents. Known for her generosity and compassion, many described her as a “one-woman Catholic Charity,” always ready to help those in need.
One of Barb’s most cherished associations was with “The Kindergarten Girls,” a close-knit group of friends she met in grade school, with whom she maintained lifelong friendships. They enjoyed birthday luncheons, garden walks, shopping, and other special gatherings.
Barb was an active member of the St. Wenceslaus Altar and Rosary Society, a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a volunteer in the Craft group at Mercy Hospital, and a member of the Red Foxes Red Hat Society.
Barb cherished spending time with her family and cats. She and Dick were daily mass attendees and avid supporters of Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball. They graciously hosted birthday and holiday dinners for family and friends. After Dick’s passing, a new group of friends took her under their wings and welcomed her into their Breakfast Club at Panera Bread.
In her spare time, Barb enjoyed gardening, reading, and making many 300 piece puzzles. She loved shopping with her daughter, granddaughters and friends. She also loved playing Bingo.
Barb is survived by her brother Steve (June) Boyle of Oregon; her children Rick (Amy) Feeney of Cedar Rapids, Sue Feeney (Doug Russell) of Iowa City, and John (Angela) Feeney of Coralville; her grandchildren Cybil (Matt) Miller of Coralville, Mindy Sleichter of Iowa City, Kyle Sleichter of Cedar Rapids, and Kevin (Taryn) Feeney of Cedar Rapids; and her great-grandchildren Oliver and Maple Miller, Timber Scholl and Ainslee, Chandler, and Parker Feeney. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joan Macksey and brother-in-law Earl Macksey, her husband Dick, her son Jim Feeney, and her granddaughter Liz Sleichter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Altar and Rosary Society at St. Wenceslaus Church, 630 E. Davenport Street, Iowa City, IA 52245, or The Florence Unash Neuter Program at the Johnson County Humane Society, 3910 Napoleon Lane, Iowa City, IA 52240.
A Rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm on Monday, June 10, 2024, followed by a visitation from 4:00-6:00 pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Tuesday June 11, 2024, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, officiated by Father John Lamansky, followed by a luncheon at the Church Hall. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Barb’s final words of wisdom: “Make puzzles and read books; adopt a cat or dog from an animal shelter; make time to celebrate everything with your family and friends; take care of each other; be kind to others and smile.”