Margaret R. Reese

Margaret R. Reese, 79, of Rockford passed away October 15, 2009, after an extended battle with Cancer, in Swedish American Hospital.  She was born July 22, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Michael Ridge and Margaret (Bowen) Ridge.  In 1932 Margaret Bowen Ridge passed away and in 1934 Rachel (Langan) Ridge became Margarets beloved step-mother. Margaret graduated from Alvernia High School in 1948 in Chicago.  She then attended St. Joseph School of Nursing where she received her nursing degree in 1951.  She married Donald E. Reese on September 12, 1953, in St. Matthias Catholic Church in Chicago.  From 1951 to 1959 she worked as a nurse at St. Josephs Hospital, University of Illinois Hospitals and Rockford Memorial Hospital.   In 1969 she completed her Bachelor of Science from Rockford College.  She worked as a nurse at Brookside Medical Clinic for 22 years. Margaret was a long time member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she taught CCD classes for many years.  Over the years Margaret participated in various civic organizations and enjoyed bridge and book groups. Margarets family would like to thank the 7 th floor nursing staff at Swedish American Hospital for their excellent care. Margaret is survived by her children, Julie (Dan Junior) Grant of Guilford, Conn., Donna (Erik) Davidsen of Rumbai, Indonesia, Angela (David) Barber, of Freeport, Michael (Cami) Reese of Winnebago, Patrick Reese and special friend Rennee Eichman of Machesney Park, and Donald (Jean) Reese Jr., of Oswego; grandchildren, Steven, Kristen, Kimberly, Daniel, Andrew, Abbey, Damien, Ashley, Curtis, Taylor, Sidney, Kyle, Kendra, Jack, Bridget and Liam; great grandchildren Addyson and Isabelle, sister, Angela Skalla of Oak Park,  sister-in-law Norma Reese of Cincinnati, Ohio, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins,  dear friends Eileen Hennen and Mary Ann Hirsch and many others.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers in law, sister-in-law and nephew. Funeral Mass will be Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. David Vogel officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 5:00 7:00 p.m. in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL with a Christian Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:00 until time of Mass Monday in the church. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.  In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association, Northern Illinois Office, 30 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 2015, Chicago, IL 60602 or the Susan G. Koman for the Cure, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Ste. 401, Chicago, IL 60631. To express condolences to the family online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.