A Name That Lives On

Jul 6, 2026

When Mary Lavia returned to Des Moines after more than five decades away, she wasn’t just coming back to a city – she was coming home. 

The daughter of an Italian immigrant, Mary grew up in Des Moines watching her father, James “Jimmy” Lavia, build a life through hard work, determination and generosity toward others. With a simple grade school education, Jimmy started The Reliable Dress Club, a dry-cleaning business on Ingersoll Avenue, raised a family of five children and became known as a kind and deeply caring man. 

“He just had a good heart,” said Mary. “He was wonderful.” 

After school, Mary’s life took her across the country and overseas for more than 55 years. When she moved back to Des Moines, memories of her childhood quickly resurfaced – afternoons at the Des Moines Arts Center, summers at Ashworth Pool and the comfort of familiar streets and neighborhoods.

“There’s just something about being home,” she shared. 

Returning to Des Moines also prompted Mary to think more intentionally about the future. Organized by nature and thoughtful in her planning, Mary began putting her estate plans into place and reflecting on her father’s legacy and what would become of the Lavia family name. With no future generations expected to carry the name forward, Mary knew she wanted to honor her father in a meaningful and lasting way. 

“I didn’t want his name to disappear,” said Mary.

Mary knew she wanted her assets to support nonprofit organizations serving essential community needs, but she also wanted the gifts to create lasting impact. As she began conversations with local nonprofits, she was repeatedly directed to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines – and that is when everything started to come together.

Working alongside the Community Foundation team, Mary developed a charitable plan tailored to her goals – one designed to provide both immediate support and long-term sustainability for the causes she cared about. Together, they established the James D. Lavia Legacy Fund, ensuring her father’s name and values will continue to support the community’s future. 

Through a combination of endowed and non-endowed funds, Mary’s plan was structured to provide both flexibility and permanence. She also chose to include a gift to the Better Together Fund, trusting it would help address the community’s most pressing needs as they evolve over time. 

“The team at the Community Foundation has it down,” Mary shared. “They understand the needs of nonprofit organizations and how to invest donor dollars wisely to support and grow funding over time.” 

For Mary, the planning process became deeply meaningful. What once felt overwhelming was replaced with confidence and peace of mind.

“I remember walking out and feeling like such a weight had been lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “I got in the car smiling and crying at the same time.”

Today, Mary feels comfort and confidence knowing her father’s story and the values he lived by will continue. 

“No one may remember who Jimmy Lavia was – but his name will live on somehow,” shared Mary. “That’s the cherry on top of the cake.”