JoAnn “Joni” Delany, 83, formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Shady Rest Care Center, Cascade, Iowa.

Per Joni’s explicit wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Private family burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road is assisting the family.

Joni was born in Dubuque on January 24, 1935 to Joe and Hazel (Jochum) McQuillen. She married Frank Delany, Jr., on December 26, 1962. He preceded her in death in 2004.
Joni graduated from St. Columkille High School and received her X-Ray training at Mercy Hospital and worked on the staff in that department.

Her next adventure moved her to Chicago, working for Radiologists on Lake Shore Drive. She loved her time in Chicago, often telling many stories. She would often recall the time she rode in a convertible down Michigan Ave. during a snow storm! Another favorite memory was when John F. Kennedy was campaigning for President and she and her girlfriends waited many hours just to shake his hand. After he was nominated, she sent him a congratulatory telegram.

Joni returned to Dubuque and worked for orthopedic surgeons. It was during that time that she met and married Frank Delany, Jr. She and Frank were married for 42 years, before his passing on February 18, 2004. Frank taught and coached at Wahlert High School for many years and the school quickly became their world. The two attended many athletic events and celebrations at the Morocco. In fact, Frank proposed to Joni after a basketball game when Wahlert beat Senior.

One of Joni’s proudest accomplishments was receiving her RN Degree from NICC at the age of 40. She worked at Mercy Hospital for 17 years. Joni’s favorite night out would be dining at the Morocco or Timmermans, anywhere she didn’t have to cook.

Joni was known for generosity in helping her family, friends, and strangers. She will be missed by her brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given to the Wahlert High School Frank Delany Scholarship Fund.

Joni is survived by her siblings, Carol Houtakker, Metemora, Illinois, Jim (Sheila) McQuillen, Papillion, Nebraska, Tom (Joyce) McQuillen, Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Joe (Corinne) McQuillen, Peosta, Iowa, Sharon (Joe) McAuliffe, Epworth. Along with many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her siblings Dorothy McQuillen, Lois McDermott, Richard McQuillen, Pat McQuillen and Joyce McQuillen.

Joni’s family thanks the staff at Shady Rest Care Center and Riverbend Retirement Community for the great care and kindness shown to her.