Catherine Marie O'Leary

Catherine Marie O’Leary, nee Duffy, 85, Park Ridge, formerly of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born November 30, 1936, in Joliet, the daughter of Dr. Joseph and Madeleine (Dailey) Duffy. Beloved wife of the late George Edward O’Leary Jr. whom she married on June 10, 1961.
Survived by her children, George E. O’Leary III, Joseph (Jane) O’Leary, Michael O’Leary and Margaret (James) Coyle; her grandchildren, Ryan and Joseph O’Leary, Catherine, James, Matthew, and Patrick Coyle.
Aside from her cherished children and grandchildren, Catherine is survived by her brother Joseph (Sally) Duffy and Peggy (Tom) Carey; her sisters-in-law Patricia O’Leary Treat, Phyllis McGovern Duffy and Marilyn Cacciatore O’Leary; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her siblings and in-laws, Jack Duffy, MD, Marian (Mark) Meers, Frances (Eugene) Fanning, Kathleen (Carl) Rydstrom, James O’Leary, and Howard Treat.
Catherine graduated from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame in 1958, and continued her love of learning taking classes while raising her children. She achieved two master’s degrees in special education and in counseling. However, most notably was her kindness to all. She volunteered with the Literary Council, Rainbow Hospice, and area soup kitchens. She never had a bad word to say of anyone and had an upbeat attitude encouraging everyone to succeed. She will be dearly missed.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation from 5:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford and again from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Wednesday at the church. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society in Catherine’s name.