Stacy Lynn Woodsmall McGinity, 52, of Burlington, Iowa, died on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Burlington.
Born August 4, 1973, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Mel McGinity Jr. and Cathy Woodsmall.
Stacy attended Burlington High School and graduated with the Class of 1992. She had a caring heart and dedicated many years of her life to working as a Direct Support Professional, helping others with compassion and empathy.
Stacy was creative, fashionable, inquisitive, and deeply loving. She had a passion for art and found joy in painting, expressing herself through light, color, and imagination. Music was the soundtrack to many of those painting sessions and much of her life, often Prince or the blues filling the room.
Her kindness knew no bounds. Stacy had a personality that could light up any room. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and leave them feeling seen and valued. A natural Leo, she possessed a larger-than-life spirit and a gift for making lasting impressions. She took her children to deliver flowers to neighbors on May Day, baked cookies for the mail carrier, and brought extra meals to her elderly neighbor upstairs. Her children’s friends often viewed her as a second mother, knowing they were always welcome in her home and her heart. Her love for people even led her to become an ordained minister, allowing her to play a meaningful role in the lives of others.
Stacy loved animals and cherished the comfort, companionship, and unconditional love they provided. She found peace in their presence and admired their gentle nature.
She also had a love for fashion and enjoyed collecting perfumes and jewelry. Stacy rarely left the house without wearing at least one treasured piece from her collection.
A proud feminist, Stacy stood up for the brokenhearted, the overlooked, and those who could not speak for themselves, whether human or animal. She believed deeply in equality, compassion, and acceptance, values she instilled in her children from an early age. Because of their mother, they grew up believing everyone deserved kindness, dignity, and respect. Stacy was pursuing a degree in social work and found great fulfillment in helping others.
Above all else, Stacy loved her family.
She would have given the shirt off her back for any one of them. Her children, grandchildren, brothers, and parents meant the world to her. She spoke with her children every day and faithfully FaceTimed her grandchildren every weekend, often for hours at a time. No topic was off limits. She was not only their mother, but also their confidante, greatest supporter, and best friend. She checked on her children every day to make sure they were okay and never let them forget how much they were loved.
Her passionate spirit, generous heart, and vibrant presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her children, Ethan Miller of Burlington and Emilie Miller of Peoria, Illinois; her siblings, Danny (Cheri) Woodsmall of Olathe, Kansas, Luke (Shauna) McGinity of Burlington, and Brandon McGinity of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her grandchildren, Logan, Violet, Levi, and Landon; and her mother, Cathy.
She was preceded in death by her father, Mel, and her beloved dogs, Tessa and Colin, whom she loved immensely.
Visitation for friends and family will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Des Moines County Humane Society or The Trevor Project.
Please continue to keep Stacy's family in your thoughts during this difficult time.