Mary Jane Hackett

Mary Jane Hackett, 91, of Rockford, IL, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2023. She was born October 21, 1931 in Watertown, WI, daughter of Joseph and Dorothy (Meyer Brooks) Solon. Mary graduated from Muldoon High School, class of 1949. She married John R. “Jack” Hackett in Saint Mary’s Church, Rockford, IL on June 28, 1952. Mary worked for Camera Craft for many years as a bookkeeper. She later worked for 17 years at Five Points Medical as a medical transcriptionist. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Mary was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Mary enjoyed camping, travel, photography, bicycling and hiking. She was known for all the cookies she baked for family and friends. Mary had a spirit of adventure, a zest for life, a rich sense of humor and was a people person. Most of all, she loved getting together with family and friends. Mary cherished making memories with grandchildren visits, overnights, and travel with them. Door County was a favorite destination for over 65 years. Family camping trips to Peninsula State Park and many National Parks were treasured. Vacations to Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, Ireland and Nova Scotia were also enjoyed by Mary and Jack. A highlight of life was a family backpacking trip to Cloud Peak Wilderness Area, WY led by son, John. She loved her many trips with her sister Patsy and the Solon cousins. A favorite was New Zealand with Patsy. Mary was proud of bicycling 25 miles through downtown Chicago in the middle of the night, with Carolyn, Dan and niece Susan on an Insomnia Cycle event. You could still find Mary riding her bike through the neighborhood. Mary also spent many hours wandering Anderson Japanese Gardens with her camera. Mary kept in touch with classmates from Muldoon and was instrumental in planning class reunions over the years.

Mary is survived by her children, John R. Jr. (Susan) Hackett of Libertyville, IL and Carolyn (Dan) Kendell of Dublin, OH; grandchildren, Allison Reisel of Libertyville, IL, Paige Kendell (Eric Belski) of Pittsburgh, PA and Andrew Kendell of Pittsburgh, PA. She is also survived by loving sister, Patricia A. Rogers, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband, parents, brother James Solon, sister-in-law Betty Solon, and brother-in-law Ray Rogers.

A Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107. A visitation will be prior to mass starting at 10:00 a.m. A night before visitation will be on Monday, May 15, 2023, from 4:30 – 7:00 pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Burial will be in Scandinavian Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Road Rockford, IL 61107, or to the family. Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.