Marion Geoffroy Mckeown

Marion Geoffroy McKeown, long time resident of Ames, died peacefully on September 29, 2016, with family by her side at Bickford Cottage in Urbandale. Marion was born on June 29, 1923, in Glendale, California to Wilfred and Helen (Leonard) Geoffroy. A self-described “General Motors brat,” she grew up in various cities; including Dallas, Des Moines, Los Angeles, and Springfield, Missouri where she graduated from high school in 1941. Marion attended Stephens College in nearby Columbia and then Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, graduating in 1945. From there she went on to graduate school at the University of Illinois, where she met Donald McKeown. They were married in 1947. After living briefly in Denver and Omaha, they moved to Ames where Don joined the faculty of the Department of Architectural Engineering at Iowa State University. Marion was a member of the League of Women Voters, served on the Board of Trustees at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, was a member of P.E.O., the ISU Faculty Women’s Club, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and a volunteer with the Camp Fire Girls. She was also an ardent bridge player. After her children were grown she studied accounting and spent many years doing tax work for the Newbrough Law Firm. She and Don were avid travelers, visiting countries in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. They were long time residents of Green Hills Community. Marion was preceded in death by her husband Don in 2014. She is survived by her children: Roger of Annandale, NJ, Nancy (Gary) Hayden of Spokane, WA, and Lesley (Joe) Olsasky of Urbandale, IA, her grandchildren: Andrew, Ben, Courtney, Robyn, and Alexandra, and great-grandchildren: Olive, Lucas, and Lola. Marion’s family would like to thank the caring staff at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living and Memory Care of Urbandale. A memorial service for Marion will be on October 22nd, 10:30am at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, in Ames. Interment following the service will be at ISU Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org