Fay E McCauley

Fay Eunice (Smith) McCauley, 95, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully at Grand Meadows Nursing Home on July 8, 2025. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m.on Tuesday, July 22nd at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road in Dubuque. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23rd at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Dubuque with an additional visitation between 9:15-10:15 a.m. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Key West, Iowa. A livestream of the funeral service can be seen at: https://vimeo.com/event/5259489
Fay was born January 19, 1930 in Dubuque, daughter of William and Myrtle (Reuschel) Smith. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1948. She met the love of her life, Frank McCauley, while both were working at the Dubuque Packing Company, and they were later married on December 31, 1952 in Panama where her husband was stationed during the Korean War Conflict. They returned to Dubuque after the war where they made their home. Fay began her long-time working career in the grocery business as a much beloved grocery checker, first at Kroger's, then A & P, and finally ending with 20 years at Eagles Supermarket where she retired in 1995, but not before she was thrown one of the best retirement parties with all the employees wearing purple on her last day honoring Fay (her favorite color), and even making the television news. She was loved by her fellow employees and her loyal customers. After retirement, she took a part-time job at Mercy Hospital gift shop in Dubuque from 1997-2003 where she worked as a customer service clerk, once again being loved by her co-workers and customers.
Fay was a life-long dedicated member of St Matthew Lutheran Church her entire life, participating in the church choir, serving as a lector, as well as a Communion distributor. She never missed a Sunday service until her health prevented her from attending. Her faith was very important to her. Along with her husband, they founded the Tri-State Twirlers Square Dance Club and enjoyed square dancing for 25 years. She and her husband also taught round dancing for 18 years. One of Fay's favorite memories was when she and her husband were able to take a trip back to Panama to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, a gift from their children. Fay was also an avid Chicago Cubs fan and owned many of the Cubs memorabilia. She was ecstatic to have been able to witness the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016, as well as attending several games in person at Wrigley Field. Spending time with her family was her greatest joy though, which included watching her children participate in their many activities, and in later years, those of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed attending her son's many music gigs over the years.
Fay is survived by her four children, Connie (Greg) Dykema of Geneseo, IL and Ft. Myers, FL, Kathy (Wade) Ireland of Fairfax, IA, Terry (Taunya Kepple) McCauley of Marion, IA, and Lisa (Dan) Arenholz of Blue Grass, Iowa, grandchildren, Nick (Angie) Ireland, Matt (Maggie) Ireland, Tony (Sara) Ireland, Jared (Danielle Macaro) Ireland, Alyx Dykema, Sydney (Daniel) Serrano, Lindsay Ireland and fiance Jerod Staton, Brittany McCauley, Dylan and Jada Arenholz, and great-grandchildren, Grace, Maddie, Addy, James, Frank, Oscar, Gloria Ireland, Ryleigh and Kamryn Serrano, and soon-to-be born tenth great-grandchild, Everett Ireland. Fay is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Fay was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her parents, her mother and father-in-law Sylvester and Bernice McCauley, her two sisters and brother-in-laws, Marge (Ade) Lane, and Ruth (Ralph) Klumb, and sister and brother-in-law, Sally (Bob) Voels, and brother and sister-in-law, Mike (JoAnn) McCauley, nephews Roger Klumb and Greg Lane, and nieces Wendy Lane and Barb Pettitt.
Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hospice of Dubuque, or to the family.
Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home are in charge of the arrangements.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Amanda Bradac, Hospice of Dubuque, and to the amazing nursing staff at Grand Meadows for their love and tender care given to Fay. She loved you all. Fay has been reunited with her husband who passed away eleven days short of their 72nd wedding anniversary. They can now continue their love story in Heaven.