Shirley Mae Swart

Shirley Mae Swart, 92, Rockford, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2018, at Alden Debes Center, Rockford.

She was born November 28, 1926, in Rockford, the daughter of Edward and Florence (Johnson) Murphy. Shirley graduated from Muldoon Catholic High School in the class of 1944. She married Donald E. Swart on September 6, 1947, and he passed away in Rockford on May 12, 1999. She worked as a secretary at Lincoln Park school and later at Williams Manny Insurance Agency where she worked for 29 years before retiring in 1984. She also volunteered for Northern Illinois Hospice. She and Don loved to travel and spent many years traveling all over the world on their motorcycle as well as camping in their RV. She and Don spent the last 10 years wintering on Padre Island, Texas. They were always accompanied by their 2 poodles, Cracker and Dunky. Shirley loved to cook and entertain, hosting numerous Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners as well as many birthday celebrations. She loved to sew and quilt, making many quilts that she shared with her family. She also loved painting, ceramic classes, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, and playing cards. Shirley loved the Oak Ridge Boys, barbershop quartets, hummingbirds, riding motorcycles with Don and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Always by her side were her companion poodles, Pearl and Toby. Shirley lived the last 2 years at Independence Village, making many friends.

Survived by her son, Kenneth (Joanne) Swart; her daughter, Kathleen (John) Loven; her grandchildren, Derek (Christi) Melin, Pamela Zollar, Sarah (Juven) Macias, and Brian (Anne) Morris; her great-grandchildren, Kelsey Melin, Dillon, Ryan, Brandon, Noah Melin, Deon Woodard, Lucy Macias, and Oliver Morris; her brother, Richard (Anne) Murphy, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by her husband, Don and her son-in-law, John Melin.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr. Rockford with Reverend William R. Wentink officiating. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercyhealth at Home of Rockford or Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, Inc.

Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd, Rockford. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.