Beverly D. Mackey

Beverly D. Mackey, 94, Rockford, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2016, in her home with her family by her side. She was born July 23, 1921, in Janesville, WI, the daughter of Ted and Bethel Miller. Her family moved several times until settling on Crosby St. in Rockford, Prior to her marriage, she was employed by Pioneer Life, owned her own car, and dressed quite stylishly for her time. She married James “Jim” Mackey on November 6, 1948, in her family home on Crosby St. They remained together for 67 years until his passing on January 11, 2016. After their marriage, as was the normal thing to do in those times, the children began coming and she settled into the role of housewife. First there was Rick (7/49), Bob (10/51), Dave (2/53), Carol (11/54), and Chuck (3/58). Bev “loved” her life as Mother, laundry lady, dishwasher, cook and cleaning lady. With Jim being involved with Scouting and working two jobs, she didn’t get much, if any, time off, but as hard as that must have been, she never complained or regretted it. Bev and Jim moved into their current home in 1955, and remained there until the end, raising five children and enjoying many holiday, birthday, and family get-togethers. There were the yearly vacations at Thousand Island Lake in the North woods. Once the children were older, Bev was able to enjoy fishing with Jim and holds the family record for the largest Walleye, a 30”, 10lb beauty which hangs on the wall at home. Bev returned to work at Thrift Remsen Printers in 1969, and worked there until her retirement in 1988. She enjoyed her work and co-workers and talked about her time there often.
Survived by her sons, Rick (June) Mackey, Chuck (Tobi) Mackey, and her favorite daughter, Carol (Steve) Schultz; her daughters-in-law, Jan (Bob) Mackey and Karen (Dave) Mackey; her grandchildren, Tim Mackey (Lana), Christy (Chad) Evans, Brad (Jacque) Mackey,
Greg (January) Mackey, Alana (Miguel) Hernandez, Andrew (Lauren) Schultz, and Randy (Megan) Schultz; her 7 great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty (Dorian) Fisher and numerous nieces and nephews and her beautician and good friend, Sally Johnson. Predeceased by her husband, Jim Mackey, her sons, Bob and Dave Mackey, her brother, John Miller, her brothers-in-law, Glenn Mackey and Dorian Fisher, and her sister-in-law, Dolly Miller. Special thanks to her caregivers of the last 5 months, Sherry, Lucy, and Jessica Gomez, and Robin Andrews.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held for Jim and Bev on July 9, 2016. Details will be announced at a later date. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com