Mary A. McAndrew

Mary McAndrew, 86, of Davenport, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025 at MercyOne Genesis, Davenport.

Visitation will be from 1-4 pm on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mayflower Cemetery, Oxford Junction, IA.

Mary Agnes McAndrew was born November 20, 1938, in Oxford Junction, to Jerome and Agnes (Carrington) McAndrew. She graduated from Lost Nation High School in 1956. She married Stanley Benischek in 1957 in Lost Nation.

Prior to her retirement she worked as a travel agent for AAA and later worked in claims for Mel Foster Insurance.

Music was a huge part of Mary’s life. She played in several blue grass bands over the years, first in Light of the River and most recently with the Front Porch Pickers. She hosted the annual Blue Grass Jam and Old Time Music Festival at Eden Valley Refuge from 1982 – 2023.

Mary loved the outdoors, especially canoeing and hiking. She was a member of Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe Club and led several canoe trips encompassing the waterways of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. As a member of the Black Hawk Hiking Club, she led many hikes. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mary was an avid dancer. She also enjoyed family vacations and travel, this included touring the Swiss Alps by train, Germany and France with her son, and Ireland with her sister, Regina.

Survivors include her sons Mark (Donna) Benischek of Davenport, Greg Benischek of Durant, John (Gretl) Benischek of Florida; grandsons Luke (Emma) Benischek, Jake (Emilee) Benischek all of Durant; sister Regina Reyes of Davenport; and longtime companion Jim Lyon of Silvis.

She was preceded in death by her sister JoAnna Lund.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.