Catherine F. Myers-Phelps

Catherine F. Myers Phelps passed away on June 18, 2016 at Genesis West Medical Center, Davenport, IA with family by her side. Catherine was born October 1, 1920 in Rockford, IL, daughter of Leo M. and Helen Brockman Byrne. Raised on family farm on Auburn Road (Burritt Township). Graduated from Muldoon High School 1937 and Rockford College in 1941. She married Cpl. Robert “Bob” Myers in Las Vegas, NV in 1942. While Bob was overseas for 32 months in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, Catherine worked at J. I. Case and Illinois Wholesale Liquors. Bob died in 1987. Catherine married Joseph S. Phelps in 1991. He passed away in 1996.

She was employed at Rockford College for 22 years, as Secretary, Dean of Students and initiated the Student Career & Placement Office, retiring as Director in 1984. She was a Charter member of St. Peter Cathedral, President of the parish St. Anne Society and started/chaired the funeral dinner service. Volunteered at St. Anne Center (Provena) and served several years on that Auxiliary Board. Held other offices including President, Rockford Toastmistresses; Alumni Association of Rockford College and Charter Club; Winnebago County Farm Bureau; Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. She was a founder of the St. Thomas/Muldoon Alumni Association & Co-Chair of the Grand Reunion. Member of Ethnic Heritage Museum Board and started the Irish-American room & “Father-of-the-Year” & “Ethnic Business Awards” Received Rockford Ethnic Museum Emeritus Honor.

Catherine’s hobbies included oil painting, stained glass, ceramics, calligraphy, cake decorating & genealogy. She was very proud of her family and Irish heritage. Loved a good joke and had a quick Irish wit. Very generous person; both with her time, money and talents. Moved to Davenport in 2011 to be close to family. Lived a full and good life. Will be missed by family & friends. Catherine was a gregarious individual with a big heart. Extremely loyal & loving mother, mother-in-law and grandparent. Another of the “greatest generation” has passed.

Survived by daughter Maureen Myers, Knoxville, TN; sons Bruce (Victoria) of Bettendorf, IA; and Dan (Rosie) Myers of Papillion, NE; six grandchildren: Robert (Elizabeth), Rebecca, Nicholas, Colin, Reece & Danielle Myers; and one great-granddaughter, Isabela. She is also survived by niece Joanne Baylis of Rockford and nephew David Byrne of Watertown, WI; three stepchildren: James (Jane) Phelps, Loves Park, IL; Mike (Mary) Phelps, Rockford; Debbie Phelps Porter, Winona, MN. Predeceased by her husbands, sisters Mary Finan, Anne Byrne and brother, Leo M. Byrne Jr.; two grandchildren Michael & Mark Myers and nephew William Byrne.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Peter. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Cathedral of St. Peter or the Ethnic Museum of Rockford. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com