Patricia A. Gilligan

Patricia A. Gilligan, 83, of Rockford, died Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Alpine Fireside. Born January 31, 1932 in Chicago, the daughter of Earl Henry and Clara Josephine (Mohr) Roome. Attended Triton College, Rosemary College, Loyola University and U of I, Chicago. Married her loving husband, Richard F. on April 2, 1961 at City Hall in Chicago. Patricia settled in Rockford in 2004 but prior to that, she had lived in North Carolina, Texas, Alaska, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Patricia worked part time at the library for 10 years after raising her family. She was best known as the “doll” lady for making dolls for Michael Reese Hospital, taught doll making classes, a fantastic genealogy tracker, and a docent at the Chicago Historical Society. Patricia was an avid reader and an artist. She was an active lady who loved her family and friends dearly; she will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her sons, Bill (Deb) Bauer of Rockford, Daniel Gilligan of Phoenix, AZ, and Patrick Gilligan of Midland, Tx; Grandchildren, Dawn (Chuck) Johnson, Kimberly Bauer, Christina (Eric) Adams, Sean, Brendan, Shay, Tara, and Katie Gilligan; great grandchildren, Autumn, Angel, Joseph, Thomas and 1 on the way; brother, Richard (Chrystal) Roome and former daughters-in-law, Kathy Bauer and Susan Gilligan. She was preceded in death by her daughter Clarissa in infancy; her parents; her husband in 2003, and her brother Henry Roome and sister, Dorothy Jean Willie.

Memorial service Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11 am at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S Mulford Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Northern Illinois Hospice, 4215 Newburg Rd, Rockford, IL 61108. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.