Megan Emily O’Malley Setaro, of Austin, Tex., formerly of Elmhurst, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2022 at the age of 43. She was born to Cindy and Jim O’Malley on June 22, 1978.
Megan’s early years were full of family and fun, including sports and fishing with her father. It was also punctuated by the pain of health issues. Even at a young age she wouldn’t let illness define her. Megan learned the preciousness of life and was determined to live. Her constant upbeat smile and attitude were gifts to everyone who knew her. She loved the theatre in middle and high school and would dream of being an actress.
After graduating from York High School, Megan packed her bags and moved to Iowa City to pursue her education and dreams of becoming a teacher. She joined Delta Gamma Sorority where she made lifelong friends. It was at University of Iowa Hospital where Megan received the life-saving gift of her liver transplant on April 20, 1997. This gift provided 25 additional years of life and love and she encouraged everyone she knew to become an organ donor.
After receiving degrees in Education and Finance, she met her future husband James Setaro in 2001 and, in 2006, they married. She first worked at Northwest Junior High in Iowa City teaching reading. She devoured books and was active in many book clubs.
Moving to Austin in 2007, Megan taught 7th grade at Westridge Middle School. She loved time with children, it was her true calling. She was given a special award by the VFW after years of outstanding essays submitted by her students.
Her son Parker came into the world in 2011, followed by twins, Jack and Madysen, in 2012. Megan lived her dream spending every day with them.
She received her real estate license in 2016 and created her own business selling books, magazines, and collectibles online. She was proud of buying a book for $1 and selling it online later for $75. Megan continued teaching at Hill Country Middle School. She was active in churches all her life, most recently at Westlake United Methodist and took part in the Family Foundations group for years.
Megan will be remembered for her joy, her determined spirit, her warmth and kindness. She was a laugh-out-loud, funny girl full of bravery and fire of the best kind. She was always working on something new and exciting. She loved her children with her whole heart and gave them the best gift ever — her time.
Never conforming to any norm, Megan was truly one of a kind.
Megan is survived by her husband James Setaro; her children, Parker, Madysen, and Jack; her parents, Jim and Cindy O’Malley; her brother Jay (Amber) O’Malley; her nieces Sophia Dehl, Cecelia Dehl, Francesca Dehl, Morgan O’Malley; and nephews, James O’Malley and Ryder Concannon. A memorial service was held on April 2, at Westlake United Methodist Church in Austin.
Memorials can be made in her honor to The American Red Cross
P. O. Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839 or
Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.
26345 Network Place
Chicago, IL 60673-1263
Arrangements provided by the family.
