Cover photo for Rita M. Church's Obituary
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1946 Rita 2011

Rita M. Church

August 18, 1946 — January 8, 2011

Rita M. Church, 64, Rockford, died peacefully at 10:40 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011 in Rockford Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a long illness with a rare form of leukemia.nbsp; Born August 18, 1946 in Rockford, daughter of Anthony J. and Jeanette N. (Casalena) Cassioppi.nbsp; Graduated from East High School in 1964 and received an Associates Degree from Rock Valley College.nbsp; Married Frederick W. Church in Rockford on September 7, 1968.nbsp; She was the office manager for her husbands group,nbsp;Surgical Associates of Northern Illinois for over 10 years.nbsp; Member of Holy Family Catholic Church. She was a long-time active member of the Winnebago County Medical Society Auxiliary.nbsp; Rita was a kind, fun-loving woman who made friends easily. One important part of her life was her long-time Birthday Group, special friends that got together often.nbsp; She was filled with compassion and will always be remembered for her beautiful smile that came from within. She was annbsp;active volunteernbsp;in her childrens school activities, including room mother and assistant Cub Scout leader.nbsp; Rita was co-chair of the Boylan Fine Arts Booster Club andnbsp;was greatly honored for her involvement by receiving the Boylan Edge Award in 2004. nbsp;She was anbsp;dedicated wife and mother who held fast to her faith, family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Frederick W. Church, M.D.; daughter, Jennifer (Douglas) DuBrock; son, Joseph Church; grandchildren, Jessica, Jamie and Jodi DuBrock; sisters, Marie Mueller and Sylvia (Larry) Vogeler; uncle, Frank (Lucy) Cassioppi; mother-in-law, Eleanor Church; sister-in-law, Carole Peterson and brother-in-law, Robert (Rhonda) Church.nbsp; Also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Sarah Mueller, Anthony (Becca) Mueller, Neil (Miranda) Vogeler, Bill (Heidie) Peterson, Barry (Brett) Peterson and Caryn (Scott) Bayne; great-nephew, Isaac Mueller; aunts, uncles, cousins, including her special cousin, Cynthia (Skip) Vincer and other loving family members and friends.nbsp; Predeceased by her grandparents, parents, cousin, Jerry Casalena and father-in-law, Fred Church, Sr.

A very special thank you to Dr. Edwards, P.A. Rindt, and the nursing staffs at ACT Medical Group and Rockford Memorial Hospital Infusion Therapy and Oncology ward.

Mass of Celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011 in Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Andrew Mulcahey officiating.nbsp; Burial in Calvary Cemetery.nbsp; Visitation from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m.nbsp; Visitation also at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.nbsp; It was Ritas wish that innbsp;lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rock River Valley Blood Center either monetarily or by blood donations. nbsp;Due to the many transfusions Rita receivednbsp;from anonymous donors, she realized that blood truly is thenbsp;gift of life.

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