Barbara L. Dilley

Barbara Lynn Dilley, 78, passed away on September 5, 2023, in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois. Born on August 12, 1945, she was raised by Louise and Bill Anderson. A 1963 graduate of West High School, Barb went on to teach preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church for 4 years before spending the rest of her working career as a Switchboard Operator for Rock Valley College. In her free time, she enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening flowers, playing with her Shih Tzu dogs, or chatting with her friends & neighbors. Barb also enjoyed testing her creative abilities through crafts; she enjoyed stamp collecting, cross stitching and quilting things to give to her family. Her faith was a great part of her life, she was a long-time parishioner at St. Paul Lutheran Church and later in life Our Saviors Lutheran Church, and a role-model for those that knew her. Above all else, Barb will be remembered most for how much she loved her family. She dearly loved her children and hosting family holidays at her house, always cooking or baking during each get-together for which she had great talent. Barb had many family reunions over the years and loved having family come to town or herself traveling to visit her family. Her family has countless fond memories with her throughout the years and knows she is still watching over us.

She will be remembered as a devoted & loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Survivors include Roe Dilley; their children Christopher (Lynn) Dilley and Cheri Dilley; her grandchildren Miranda Oliver and Joshua (Megan) Dilley; sisters-in-law Shirley Benson and Jackie Anderson; special niece, Heidi Anderson-Martinez. She is predeceased by her parents; brothers Larry Benson and William “Bill” Anderson; nephew Doug Anderson and her cousin, Judy Fain.

A visitation will take place on Monday, September 11, 2023, from 4:30 p.m. until the time of funeral service, 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford Illinois 61108. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or to Noah’s Ark. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com