Obituary

IVA NELL (HUDSON) GANLEY
July 20, 1928  – May 4, 2024

Iva Nell Ganley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on May 4, 2024 (95 years old) after a short illness. Iva resided in Lake Forest, CA.

Iva is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene William Ganley (1924-2017).

Iva and Eugene (Gene) were married for 66 years and were dedicated to their large family. They have four daughters; Patty (Rob, deceased) Balen, Genie (Don) Ganley-Jones, Sheila (Steve) Cech and Christy (Stefan) Drust. Their family also includes 10 grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Iva was born in Arkansas and raised in Idaho Springs, Colorado. She loved the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. She carried this love in her heart throughout her life. Iva met Gene in Leadville, Colorado and in 1950, they were married. They traveled all over the world, lived in 15 states and in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. They established close connections and made many life-long friendships with their Fluor Construction and Engineering Family throughout these many moves.

Eventually, Gene and Iva settled in Mission Viejo, California in 1979 which is the year that their first two grandchildren were born. They joined the brand new parish of Santiago De Compostela Catholic Church in 1979 and have been members for 45 years and are considered legacy parishioners. At this point they gained another extended family; the parishioners of Santiago. They both volunteered extensively (Knights of Columbus projects, Recycling Program, Lead Counters for Sunday collections, First Friday Night vigil assignments); they fully participated in all church functions and came to know and love the people of Santiago through these many years.

Iva is remembered by her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as being up for anything! You could not keep her away from a kids’ sporting event, a concert, a play or a dance recital! She was the heart of the family; she hosted every holiday dinner, she made a celebration out any random event on the calendar. She was a great cook and family dinners at Grandma’s were never turned down!

She cared about everyone she knew and was always interested in and asked specifically about their families. She was a model of faith, caring and love.

A Vigil will be held at O’Connor’s Mortuary, Laguna Hills, on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Her funeral mass will be held at Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church, Lake Forest, on May 31, 2024 at 10:00 am with a luncheon reception afterwards in the church pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish you may make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Father Flanagan’s Boys Town, Nebraska.