Rosemary Hillmer

Our Beloved RoseMary Hillmer, Wife, Mother, Nana, and Great Nana, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 13th, 2023.

Born April 8, 1929 to James and Mary Laudicina in Rockford, IL. She married the Love of her Life, James Hillmer, on April 22, 1950, at which time he stated that he had married his Angel. With God’s Grace and guidance, they shared 71+ beautiful years together.

RoseMary was a graduate of Muldoon High School, class of 1947. She retired in 1987 from Mid-States Industrial Corp..

RoseMary enjoyed a tremendous relationship with God, and maintained a strong Catholic Faith, which she lived in her daily life, and proudly passed on to her family. She prayed the Rosary every day until her health prevented it. She was a faithful member of St. Rita Catholic Church for 60 + years, serving as usher and greeter for over 25 years.

RoseMary took up golf in her mid-life and joined the Sandy Hollow Women’s Golf league. She and Jim shared a love for golf and spent many rounds playing on the local courses with close friends and especially family members. They also took winter trips to Florida, where they could continue playing golf together and enjoy the warmer weather. RoseMary was a fantastic cook and loved providing meals for the family get-togethers, cookouts on their deck, and impromptu dinners.

We cannot give enough thanks and gratitude to the entire staff at Lincolnshire Place and PROMEDICA Hospice for your unsurpassed quality of compassion, understanding, daily care, love and attention to RoseMary’s needs. A Special Thank You to Ron and Luanne at Lincolnshire Place. Ron, watching you at work is truly a joy. Thank you for all you do. It is noticed and appreciated.

RoseMary is survived by her brother: Jasper Laudicina, her children; Son: James M. and Alice (Peper) Hillmer, Daughter: Catherine M. Stewart and Michael; grandchildren: Marc and Melissa (Hillmer), Dines, Kingsley and Allison (Hillmer), Kennedy, Greg and Lauren (Hillmer), Grooters, Joel and Jaime (Hillmer), Pitsch, Chad and Jessica Stewart, Dustin Stewart (Jaime); 11 great grandchildren: Jordan Dutcher, Mallory and Carson Dines, Matthew, Christian, Grayson Stewart, Aidan and Griffin Kennedy, Merren and Claire Pitsch and Maverick Stewart. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Hillmer; her parents James and Mary Laudicina: and her sister Josephine Sparacino Fleming.

A Rosary will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023 followed by a visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, IL. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, IL., a visitation will take place prior to mass starting at 10:00 a.m., followed immediately with internment at Arlington Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Poor Clares or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.