Gwendolyn J. Rylatt

Gwendolyn Jane Rylatt, 71, of Belvidere passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013 after a long, brave battle with cancer in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 13, 1942 in Willow Hill, Illinois, but was raised in Rockford where she graduated from Rockford East High School in 1960. She married Jim Rylatt, raised her children and volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother and cheerleading coach. She was later employed by Sundstrand Aviation and retired in 1997 after 20 years of service. She then moved to sunny Arizona, but returned to the area to provide care for her mother and step-father. In her spare time, she enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, chatting over a cup of coffee, shopping and occasional trips to the casino. Her greatest joy in life was her time spent with her beloved family, whom she selflessly and unfailingly served throughout her life.

She is survived by her son, Tim and daughter-in-law Renee; daughter, Teri and son-in-law Jeff; grandchildren, Jeff and Shannon Moree, Elyse and T.J. Rylatt; step-granddaughter, Alyssa Salanga; ex-husband Jim Rylatt; sisters at heart, Sonja Cornelius and Mary Lee Jones; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

She is predeceased by her mother, Agnes P. Bowie, father, William H. Glendy, step-father, Herbert Bowie, and special friends, Sandy and Ron Boase and Terry L. Brown.

A celebration of her life will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2013 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Cancer Society. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.