Obituary of Jerry Ann Cummins

Jerry Ann Cummins died at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City on Sunday, 30 March, from complications of a massive stroke. At her request, Jerry's corneas were donated to the Eye Bank and her body was cremated. There will be no visitation or funeral. A memorial celebration of her life will be held from 1-4pm June 14, 2008 at the University Athletic Club in Iowa City. Jerry Ann Dart was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on 12 June 1936 to Ellsworth Dart and Ruby Frier Dart. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1954. After graduating from Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids, she moved to Iowa City in 1955. She worked at the beauty shop in Younkers until her duties as a mother prevailed. In 1957 Jerry married Phillip Daniel Cummins in Marengo, Iowa. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary last April. After Phil completed his education in 1961, they moved to Saint Louis, returning to Iowa City two years later. She was the loving and caring mother of four children, one of whom, Susan Marie, died in infancy. She was blessed with six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, whose progress and happiness gave her great joy. Jerry was friendly and outgoing, loving and caring. Others often confided in her, confident of her empathy. She greatly enjoyed being among friends, especially when there was gaiety and wit. She enlivened family gatherings with her humor and lively conversation. She enjoyed playing games; contract bridge, in particular, appealed to the competitive side of her nature and she played with both intensity and skill. Her love of cooking was matched by her expertise and her love of sunlight was matched by her pleasure in being outdoors. Her friends and family marveled at Jerry's commitment to exercise. In addition to numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, Jerry is survived by husband Phillip, sister Delores Kinkead of Cedar Rapids, son Daniel Perry Cummins (Laurie Scott) of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, son Douglas Tait Cummins of New York City, and daughter Thyra Louise Cox (Ronald)of Ames. Grandchildren include Dan and Laurie's son James Phillip Cummins of Ames and daughter Katherine Ann Cummins of Iowa City, Thyra and Ron's son James Phillip Cox of Cedar Falls and daughters Suzan Marie Cox (Jesse Pikturna) of Saint Anthony, Minnesota, and daughter Rachael Ann Cox of Ames, and Doug's daughter Victoria Hamilton Cummins of New York City. William Pikturna is Jerry's sole great-grandchild. Besides grandparents and parents, Jerry was predeceased by her father and mother-in-law (Tait and Dottie Cummins), her brother and sister-in-law (Phillip and Jean Lois Dart), and her infant daughter. Jerry expressed the wish not to have flowers sent to the family, preferring instead donations to charities. Her own wishes were donations to Iowa City Hospice Inpatient Unit Fund, Camp Courageous, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.