Ellen L. Mchugh

Ellen L. McHugh, 91, of Rockford, formerly of Belvidere, passed away Monday, December 25, 2017. She was born September 16, 1926, the daughter of Hugh and Gladys (Weld) McNeil. Ellen graduated from Belvidere High School in 1944 and Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She married the love of her life, Dr. John P. McHugh on April 23, 1949. Together, they raised six children with whom Ellen shared her love of nature and education, creating a loving home for them.
From 1967 to 1973, Ellen participated in Well Baby Clinics with the Visiting Nurses Association, providing physical exams, immunizations, blood testing and home visits for children who did not get regular medical care. Ellen continued a life of learning, earning an Associate Degree from Rock Valley College in 1979 and a B.A. Degree in Anthropology/ Sociology from Rockford College in 1982. She followed her passion of archeology by volunteering on excavations near Kampsville, IL and Elgin, IL with the Center of American Archeology. She was involved with The Crow Canyon Archeology excavation and special learning tours and with Native American artists in the Four Corners near Cortez, Co. Ellen was a board member at Northwest Bank of Rockford from 1982 – 1988 and a board member of Burpee Museum of Natural History from 1989 – 2000. Ellen was a woman of many interests that included golf, shell collecting, playing bridge into her 90’s, reading, and traveling with her beloved husband John. Above all, Ellen will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
Survived by her children Theresa (Lawrence) Palmersheim, Mary Ellen Lane, John (Charlene) McHugh, Eileen (Alan) Huston, Hugh (Lydia) McHugh and Kathleen (Greg) Reese; grandchildren Joseph (Karla) Palmersheim and John Palmersheim, Erin and John Lane, Ellen (Alex) Saywers, Patrick McHugh, Joshua Huston, Alyssa and Anna McHugh, Amara (Joe) Neuenschwander and Jacob Reese; great grandchildren Evelyn, Elise and Zoey. Predeceased by her parents, husband John and grandson Brian Thomas Lane. The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the staff at Wesley Willows and Mercy Health Hospice for their compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2017 Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Rockton Chapel, 3910 Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Rockton Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Crusader Clinic, 1200 W State Rd, Rockford, IL 61102 or Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.