Helen Anne Mackey

HELEN ANNE (DEMARCO) MACKEY, 93 ROCKFORD Helen Anne (DeMarco) Mackey, 93, of Rockford, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at Presence St. Anne Center. Born Oct. 5, 1919, in Rockford, the daughter of Amadeo and Rose (Belotti) DeMarco. She lived most of her life in the California area after attending Rockford schools and graduating from Browns Business College. There she met Robert Mackey, formerly of Freeport, who had settled in San Diego after having served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the AsiaticPacific islands of Beauganville and Guadalcanal during World War II. They were married in San Diego on July 25, 1955, and lived in the California area for 60 years before returning to Rockford to take up residence at the Christian Life Retirement Center. Survivors include her husband, Robert; sister, Val Castegnaro; several nephews and nieces, greatnephews and nieces and greatgreatnephews and nieces. She was a devoted and loving aunt and looked forward to entertaining them on their numerous visits to the West coast. Aunt Helen, we will miss you for your inimitable wit and delightful sense of humor. Preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Louisa Giorgi, Mary Basso, Victoria Johnson, Erma DeMarco; nephew, E.J. Zeke Giorgi, nieces, Joyce Giorgi Fatone and Baby Cynthia Lynn Castegnaro. Many thanks to the Christian Life Retirement Centers wonderful staff and residents for the love, friendship and comaraderie shown Helen during her recent happy years there; and for the care and compassion shown by doctors, nurses and staff of Presence St. Anne Center and Heartland Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in the Cathedral of St. Peter, with visitation from 10:30 a.m. to time of service; the Rev. Carl A. Beekman and Rev. Msgr. Thomas C. Brady will concelebrate. A luncheon will follow in the Cathedrals Parish Center. Private burial services will be held at a future date in St. James/St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Presence St. Anne Center, 4405 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107 or Heartland Hospice, 6885 Vistagreen Way, Rockford, IL 61107. Arrangements were completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave.