Mary Kathleen Thorne

Mary Kathleen (Kostka) Thorne, 69, of Rockford, passed away at home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. 

Mary was born in Rockford Illinois on April 30, 1955, daughter of John F. and Alice J. (Mickey) Kostka. She graduated from Boylan Catholic High School, Class of 1973 and went on to earn her master’s degree in art therapy at Northern Illinois University. Mary worked as a clinical counselor in various settings throughout her life. During this honorable career, she helped more people in more ways than she could have ever imagined. She married Charles L. Thorne on October 4, 1996, at Holy Family Catholic Church. They would have celebrated 28 amazing years together this month. Mary had a great passion for gardening and cooking. She loved flowers, shopping for jewelry and clothing, and was very interested in the arts of various cultures. Most of all, Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and loved ones. She will be dearly missed. 

Surviving relatives include her husband, Charles Thorne; sister, Maureen (Tim) Kelley; nieces and nephews, Austin (Nicole) Kelley and their baby Olivia, Kiara Kelley, Brian Kostka, Lily and Sylvia Coogan; sisters-in-law, Patty Kostka and Denise (Steve) Coogan. Mary is predeceased by her parents and her brother, John Kostka. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. with prayers and words of remembrance beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Private burial will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Thorne family to be established later in Mary’s name.

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