Helen M Piercy Hawley

Helen M. Piercy Hawley, 93, of Rockford passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Presence Cor Mariae. She was born in Granville, Illinois on July 16, 1920; the daughter of Dominic and Mary (Braneski) Swingle. Helen married Anton (Tony) Piercy on June 30, 1935 in Spring Valley, Illinois and in 1940 they moved to Rockford. Helen and Tony shared 45 years of marriage until Tony preceded her in death on May 7, 1980. Helen held several positions at Amerock for 36 years until retiring as a payroll supervisor in 1983. She married John Blisk on January 23, 1982 and they spent only 8 months until John passed away on September 9, 1982. Helen later married Owen Hawley on January 21, 1984; they were married 4 years until he passed away on August 19, 1988. Helen was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society, Alpha, Amerock Leisure Club and volunteered in many community activities. She loved cooking for her family and enjoyed gardening, playing cards, domino's and the lottery and traveling.
Helen is survived by her daughters, Helen (Frank) Piercy Whalen, of Rockford and Sharon (Ken) Piercy Aebersold, of Rockford; son, David Piercy, of CA; grandchildren, Steven (Linda) Whalen, Mary (Bill) Whalen Holada and Sarah, Matthew, Zachary (Tami) and Luke (Kate) Eytalis; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Veronica Fedder; sister-in-law, Lorraine Swingle and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; infant daughter, Mary Ann Piercy; sisters, Ann Gorkowski, Mary Affelt and Mitzie Spelich; brother, Joseph Swingle; great-grandsons, Patrick and Thomas Whalen. The family wishes to offer a special thank you to the staff at Cor Mariae, Hospice Care of America and all her friends and neighbors for their love and support.
Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 19, 2013 in St. Rita Catholic Church, 6284 Valley Knoll Dr. Reverend William R. Wentink officiating. Visitation from 10:00 am until the time of Mass. Burial at 3:00 pm in Valley Memorial Park, Spring Valley, IL. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of America. Arrangements completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home. To extend condolences visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com