Kathleen A. (Doherty) North

Kathleen A. (Doherty) North, 81, a lifelong resident of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017 in her home. Born October 21, 1935, the daughter of Leon and Anna (Von Der Vellen) Doherty and graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School, class of 1954. Married her loving husband James “Jim” D. North on November 10, 1956, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Kathleen was a long time member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and enjoyed bowling, gambling and was an avid reader and member of the Doherty Mall Walkers at Cherryvale Mall. She loved her family and her friends. The family wishes to thank Dr. Begum at Mercy Health Cancer Center and Dr. Craig Rogers for their compassionate care and kindness. Kathleen had a heart of gold and smile that brightened up even the saddest day, she will be missed greatly by her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Jim North of Rockford; children, LeAnn (Steve) Zarembski of Loves Park; David (Mary McQueary) North of Rockford, Pamela (Scott) Andrew of Wheaton and Jill North of Granite City, IL; grandchildren, Ryan (Katie) Zarembski, Valerie (Scott) Mutton; Matthew (Whitney Reed) Zarembski; Harrison and Isabella North; Spencer and Rachel Andrew and Victoria James; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Abby Zarembski, Vivienne and Jake Mutton; siblings, Marjorie Bengtson of Rockford, Betty (J.O.) Kopplin of Colorado, Harry (Charlene) Doherty, Michael (Margaret Knoup) Doherty and Marilyn Wolfe all of Rockford; sisters-in-law, June Doherty, Gloria North and Marianne Basile and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Paul, Larry and Pat Doherty; sister, Eleanor Johnson; sisters-in-law, Lois, Bette, and Carol Doherty; brothers-in-law, Cliff Bengtson, Bill Dutmer, Jerry Johnson, Ron Wolfe, Earl North and Phil Basile.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 14, 2017 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Ave and will continue at church on Monday from 9-9:45 a.m. Interment will be held in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Leukemia Society. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.