Mary Ann Bushaw

Mary Ann Bushaw, 69, went to be with the Lord on August 26, 2021 in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Detroit, Michigan on December 7, 1951, she was the daughter to Eugene and Jane (Doran) Cichock. After graduating from Muldoon High School in 1969 she attended Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin, graduating in 1973. She continued her studies some time later, completing a Masters Degree in Education. On October 13, 1973 she married the love of her life, David Bushaw, in Rockford, Illinois. She spent over 39 years as a special education teacher, having chosen this profession because of her innate love for children. She loved being a committee member for the Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts. She served as a merit badge counselor and Pope Pius XII Instructor for many years. She earned multiple Scouting awards due to her dedication. She was also very active with her faith. As a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church for over 40 years, she was a long-time member of the Catholic Woman’s League. She helped start the St. Stanislaus Polish Fest and loved helping with the bake and craft sales. In her free time she loved tending to her flower garden, sewing, quilting, and card making. She made incredible memories and many close friends through her hobbies and she will be deeply missed. A special thank you to all of her friends in the card club, with whom she and David have played with for over 40 years.
She is survived by those who loved her most, her husband David; her children Brian (Beth Zinsli), Patrick, and Kevin (Fiancée Devan); her siblings Tom, Mark (Trinette), James (Susie), Joseph (Cynthia), and Nancy (Greg); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends. She was predeceased by her parents Eugene and Jane Cichock.
A visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. until the time of rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. A Funeral Mass will be the following day, Thursday, September 2, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 201 Buckbee Street, Rockford, Illinois 61104. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Winnebago, Illinois will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either St. Jude’s or to Carpenter’s Place Outreach Center. To send online condolences, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com