Florence E Hare

Florence Elizabeth Hare,
Rockford - The family and friends of Florence Elizabeth Hare are mourning her death on September 24th, 2015.
Florence was born November 4, 1930 in Guanica, Puerto Rico. Her father was Ernest Edward Kilgore and mother Catalina Martinez. She was the youngest of seven children and eight stepchildren. Now survived by Julia Kilgore.
Florence attended primary and secondary schooling in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Where she also attended Catholic University of Santa Maria until the spring of 1952.
On May 09, 1952 Florence married the love of her life, Richard Theodore Hare. She accompanied Richard in his work related travels for the first eleven years of marriage. They built memories living in Bogota and Medellin Columbia, Sao Paulo, Brazil and other South American assignments.
In 1953, they gave birth to their first son, Richard Edward Kelly Hare and in 1958 was the birth of their second son James Thomas Hare. By 1962, they had decided to settle down and she purchased property located in the rural area north of Rockford, Illinois that was built by Florence’s father-in-law. In 1963, their third son was born, Patrick Fredricks Hare.
Her life focused on raising the boys, while Richard continued to travel for his work. In 1972, she began working as Spanish speaking translator at the Illinois Department of Employment Security in Rockford, Illinois. She was eventually promoted to the role as adjudicator. In 1983, she resigned from the position to stay home and spend time with her grandchildren.
Her legacy will be how much she sacrificed and gave to others. Her children and her grandchildren could not escape receiving her gifts. Her thoughtfulness carried over as an active member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church where she volunteered as an usher during weekly church services. She was a member of Elks Club of Rockford, and earned “Lady Elk of the year” honors for her level of community service. One of her favorite activities was spending time with her close friends. Every week they would meet, socialize and laugh about life.
She lived an independent, active life, but in August 2015, Florence suffered a mild stroke, where she eventually succumbed to a peaceful death.
Florence is survived by her three sons and their wives, Kelly and Margaret, James and Dora and Patrick and Aimee. Her grandchildren, Megan and her husband Brad Wesley, Richelle Colleen Hare, Kerry and her husband Ryan Butterworth, Joshua Hare and Dorian Hare. She has three great grandchildren, Emerson and Madeline Wesley and Lana Butterworth. Sister in law Virginia (Thomas) Mullens.
Her family will have a private ceremony at Fitzgerald’s Funeral home on Riverside Ave, Rockford, Il. Your thoughts and prayers for the family are welcomed. Florence and Richard, will now be able to rest in peace for eternity together. Donations in her honor to St. Bernadette’s Church Parish Operations or to the American Stroke Association are appreciated. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. –Send online condolences to www.fitzgeraldfh.com