Barbara M. Newman

Barbara M. Newman, 89, of Rockford, IL passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2022. She was a recent resident of Ascension Living Cor Mariae Village, then of St. Anne Place in Rockford.

Born July 16th, 1932, in Rockford, the daughter of Greene and Lorene (Fields) Newman. Member of the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Member of Cathedral Chorale and Rockford Diocesan Chorale. Former member of St. Bernadette choir. She attended West High School, Rockford College and Rock Valley College. Barbara received a BSE from Northern Illinois University and became a special education teacher for vision impaired students in Rockford Public Schools from 1977-1991. She was the executive secretary of Rockford Art Association/ Burpee Gallery from 1961-1970. She taught Title I reading at St. Edward school 1974-1975. She taught children’s learn to swim classes with the Red Cross. Barbara was a feature editor of the Rock Valley College “Valley Forge” newspaper, 1980, and a contributing writer to Rockford College: A Retrospective Look, 1980. She volunteered at Winnebago Center for the Blind and Rockford Literacy. Barbara was past president of Forest City Chapter of American Business Women’s Association, Member of Illinois Retired Teachers Association and Catholic Women’s League. She is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Education, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in American Women, Who’s Who in the World, etc.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents.

Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter 1243 N Church Street Rockford, IL 61103. Visitation will be from 10:30 until time of Mass. Final resting place will conclude in Willwood Burial Park, Rockford, IL.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com