Florise Marilyn Hogan

Florise Marilyn Hogan passed peacefully at home in the early morning hours on December 25, 2018.
Florise was a resident of Rockford Illinois for over 67 years. She was the first of 5 daughters born to Wenona and John Orrill, May 21, 1922, In Hooksett, NH. While in grade school, Florise remembers the Depression time as always being hungry. She and her sister, Wahneta pulled their Little Red Wagon about 2 miles to the fire station where it was filled to overflowing with food. During high school, Florise worked at Howard Johnson and saved enough to be able to attend the New Hampshire Institute of Arts and Sciences in Manchester, NH. With only one more year of a four year course to get her degree, she shattered her ankle in a horse related accident. Unable to walk or drive for almost a year, she never realized her dream in that field. She played the violin, steel guitar, made beautiful hooked rugs from her own designs and painted amazing pictures over the long recuperating process. Florise was successful as a Graphic Arts designer at Sundstrand in Rockford, IL. She was extremely hard working and resourceful. At a time when women could not get a mortgage or electric/utilities permits, Florise worked 3 jobs and saved to build her own home. She lived in a one room trailer with no running water or electricity for 2 ½ years to save the money to get her own place using the name “Mr. F. Hogan” in order to get the required permits. Florise raised Arabian horses, owned and operated her own Kennel Boarding, and conducted Obedience training classes. She was a member of the American Kennel Club and began judging dog shows at 28 years old. Florise was an acclaimed International Dog Show judge for 61 years until the age of 89. She was licensed for all breeds. Her judging travels took her to England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Europe, South America, Alaska, and Asia but her favorite place was the Netherlands. Her only request was that her judging shows be done in English. Florise had a photography studio, complete with her own dark room that kept her busy photographing weddings on the weekends that she wasn’t away judging. She was a registered agent for the African Violet Fanciers, Inc. for many years and was the featured speaker at the Illinois African Violet Society In 1993 as well as at other venues. In 1999 at the age of 77, she designed and had built her own home on Fitzgerald Rd. where she resided for the remainder of her years. The family would like to thank Greg Schroeder for taking such loving care of Florise the last few years of her life which allowed her to stay in her home.
Surviving Relatives include two sisters, Althea DeGuire Reed, Sylvia Orrill McCammant and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents John H. Orrill and Wenona Fairbanks Orrill, and her sisters, Wahneta Bettez Zabel, and Patricia Orrill Ireton.
There will be no public services held. Cremation rites will be accorded. Final resting place will be in Yelm, Washington beside her siblings. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108