Blanche M. Mcnames

BLANCHE M. MCNAMES, 81, died at 3:50 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2007 in her home, surrounded by her loving family.nbsp; Born September 23, 1925 in Woosung, IL., daughter of Fred J. and Blanche M. Waterbury Stull.nbsp; Lived over 50 years in Rockford.nbsp; Graduated from Oregon High School in 1943 and married Robert J. McNames in Oregon on April 27, 1945.nbsp; Longtime member of Our Masters United Methodist Church.nbsp; She worked at the Apple House Orchard for several years and in the mental health department of Swedish American Hospital.nbsp; She co-founded the Kindergarten Program in Byron and was very active in the Evergreen School P.T.A. She helped start the Rainbow Fine Arts Program For Gifted Children at Riverside School. Blanche nbsp;was a founding board member of Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center and, along with her husband, was involved in the formation of the organization.nbsp; She was a prolific poet and published author. nbsp; Survivors include her children; Dennis (Mary) McNames, Woodstock, Douglas (Linda) McNames, Rockford, Meredith (Larry) Lucek, Rockford and Amy Viering, Sterling; grandchildren, Michelle Pierce, Michael McNames, Gayla (Brad) Rentin, Scott (Denise) Swanson, Daniel McNames, Patrick Lewis, Benjamin Lucek, Rachel Lucek, Taylor Viering and Lauren Viering; son-in-law, Bob Viering.nbsp;nbsp; Also survived by her great-grandchildren, Brandon, Melody, Bryce Lily and Baby Rentin; brother, Raymond Stull and sisters, Frances Ohman, Doris Case and Lorraine Morrison; sisters-in-law, Susan Nordman and Wilma Seamore. Predeceased by her husband, Bob, on December 11, 1983, her parents; brothers, Gene Stull and Millard Loomis Stull and her sister, Anna Oltmanns. Blanches family would like to give a special thanks to Miles Gerard, friends and neighbors for help in caring for her. Also, thank you to Pam, Pat and Kelly from Northern Illinois Hospice Association. nbsp; A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2007 in Our Masters United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Richard A. Wang officiating.nbsp; Visitation from 10 a.m. until time of the service.nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Masters United Methodist Church or Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center.nbsp; Arrangements were completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd.nbsp; Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.