Irene Elizabeth Mckeever

Irene Elizabeth McKeever, 89, Rockford, died at 12:45 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 in P.A. Peterson Center For Health.nbsp; Born November 8, 1918 in Rockford, daughter of Luigi and Caroline Bartolini Dodaro.nbsp; Graduated from Muldoon High School in 1936 and Rockford College in 1940.nbsp; She taught school at Montague and Barbor Schools for a few years following graduation. Married William J. McKeever in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on April 12, 1946.nbsp; She and her husband were long time owners of Piemonte Bakery.nbsp; Member of St. James Catholic Church, Catholic Womens League, Order of Foresters and the Mendelssohn Club.nbsp; Irene was an accomplished singer and artist.nbsp; She sang at many Rockford weddings and on the Italian radio station. nbsp;nbsp;She and her husband were also members of the Key Club at the Wagon Wheel.nbsp; Irene was an independent woman who always knew who she was and was comfortable with it.nbsp; She was never afraid of confrontation or to speak her mind.nbsp; Education was important to her and she encouraged and supported her children in all they did.nbsp; Irene loved her family and her career and was definitely a woman before her time. nbsp; Survivors include her children, Louis (Kathleen) McKeever, Burr Ridge, Tina (John) Bacon, Columbia, MD. and Steve nbsp;McKeever, Rockford; grandchildren, Liam, Danny, Jonathan and Steve; sister, Frances (Tony) Castrogiovanni and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.nbsp; Predeceased by her husband on February 5, 1997, her parents and her sister, Mary (Eimo) Galvanoni. nbsp; Funeral mass at noon on Thursday, January 10, 2008 in St. James Catholic Church with Rev. David E. Beauvais officiating.nbsp; Burial in Calvary Cemetery.nbsp; Visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at the church on Thursday.nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimersnbsp; Association, 4777 E. State, Rockford, IL., Boylan Central Catholic High School Music or Art Department, 4000 St. Francis, Rockford, IL. 61103 or Transitions Hospice, 6801 Spring Creek Rd, Suite 2C, Rockford, IL. 61114. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; Arrangements were completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd.nbsp; Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.