Margaret Guirl

Margaret Guirl, age 83, of Rockford Illinois, died Sunday February 14 of heart failure in OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, with her family at her side. Born April 18, 1926, in Lincoln Illinois, daughter of William (Wink) and Edith Schweikert Coogan. Graduated, with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois, in 1948. On June 25, 1949 she married George William (Bill) Guirl and moved to Rockford. She was an active member of the Catholic Womans League for many years including a term as League President. She volunteered at Northern Illinois Radio Information Service (NIRIS) where on Monday mornings she read to the blind. She was a stay at home mom, dedicated to raising her children and organizing the family. She was an avid reader, loved to cook, knit and sew, and played bridge with the same club in Rockford for 50+ years, and with a group of "Snow Birds" on Jekyll Island, Georgia, for 18 years. She worked as a realtor for Marian Schwab, and as a chemistry teachers assistant at University of Illinois. Survivors include Bill, her husband of 60 years, children Tom(Barb) Guirl and their children Cara, Jamin(deceased) and Danielle ; Jim (Wayna) Guirl and their children Christopher, David, and Stephen; Sally (Doug) Mark and their children Andy, Tom, Alison, Charlie, Johnny, and Matthew; Bob (Marion) Guirl, and their children Ellen and Mike; Julie Guirl (Tim Swain and great grand children Billy, Kaleb, Samantha, Stella, and Ileah. Predeceased by her parents, her sister Betty, and sons William (infant) and Philip. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday Feb 20, in the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford. Visitation from 6:00 8:00 pm Friday Feb 19 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation also 10:00 10:45 am Sat in the church. Donations in lieu of flowers to NIRIS 801 N. 1 st St., Dekalb, Il 60115 or Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rkfd, Il 61101 . Condolences may be shared with the family at www. fitzgeraldfh.com.