Monday, September 25, 2023
Georgia Ann Moody Nealson
Georgia Ann Moody Nealson
Western freedom
Georgia Ann-Moody Nealson died on September 5, 2023, 78, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa, with her daughter by her side listening to John Denver and Harry Nilsson. She was born on February 22, 1945 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa to loving parents Howard and Wilma Nealson.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, at the West Liberty Community Center with Rev. Diana Smith of the Unitarian Universalist Society officiating, followed by burial at North Prairie Cemetery. After the funeral, dinner will be served in the community center. In honor of Georgia, everyone is recommended to eat dessert first. To express condolences to her family, please visit the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.gayandciha.com.
Georgia grew up with two older brothers, Gary and Dave, on a farm north of West Liberty, Iowa, near North Prairie Cemetery. During her time at Eastern Star, she often recalled fond memories of riding. Georgia graduated from West Liberty High School in 1963, married Terry Moody and moved to Iowa City. They had two children: Tanya and Tony. She was a homemaker until she and Terry divorced. Georgia then attended Kirkwood Community College, where she earned a degree in nursing. As a single mother, she was very proud of this achievement and made very close lifelong friends. Her RN career included the UI Family Planning Clinic, Iowa Security Medical Facility and Sedlacek Treatment Center. She later became permanently unable to work and left working life.
Georgia lived in the house on Western Road until she moved to a new home on Scott Boulevard in 2003. After a few years, she moved to be near her son Tony and his family, first to Topeka, Kansas, and later to Sioux Falls, SD. She then returned to Eastern Iowa, where she lived in the East Side Village in Lone Tree then Coralville Senior Residences until moving to Eastern Star in 2018.
Georgia had a vibrant personality and a fantastic sense of humor. She loved connecting with others by sending cards, letters and photos, laughing, talking and drinking coffee. The celebrations at her home with extended family and friends were a highlight of her high school graduation parties, her nursing school graduations and the 1990 mortgage burning party, another exciting milestone.
Making the world a better place and lifelong learning were among Georgia’s passions. She was spirited and a fighter for good causes and what was right. Sources of inspiration included the UU Society, Lake Geneva in summer and gatherings of friends. She enjoyed collecting clowns, owls, music, books, plants for her garden, and works of art. She surrounded herself with beauty. She also loved being able to travel to Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and the East Coast to be with friends or family. One of the main sources of joy was dancing, first at the Swisher dance hall and later in the disco era of the 1970s. These leisure activities and, above all, family and friends gave her life a special meaning.
Georgia is survived by her daughter, Tanya Campbell, and her husband, Greg, of rural Dayton, Iowa; her son, Tony Moody of Madison, SD; three grandchildren, Wil Moody, who serves with the 2-7 Calvary at Fort Hood; Gabriel Campbell attends Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado; Sophie Campbell (Gavin) attends Central College, Pella, Iowa; two nieces, Tami (Fran) and Jodi and their children; three nephews, Jay, Nathan (Kim) and Theron and their children; special cousins; and lifelong friends.
Her parents Howard died in 1999; and Wilma, in 2002; brothers, Gary, in 2022; and Dave, in 2023; her in-laws, Ferrel Moody in 2002; and Virginia (Ginny) Moody, in 2004; and two beloved pets, Molly and Alex.
Memorials may be made to the Eastern Star Masonic Home, 715 W. Third St., Boone, IA 50036. Georgia lived her last five years at Eastern Star, where she said it felt like home. Her family is grateful for the care provided by the staff.
