M. Joanne Speer

M. Joanne Speer, 75, Rockford, died at home nbsp;surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 1:40 p.m. after a brief battle with acute myelogenous leukemia.nbsp; Born August 18, 1932 in Rockford, the third of five children of LeRoy and Mable Emerson Green.nbsp; Graduated from East High School in 1950 and Rockford Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1953.nbsp; Retired from Rockford Clinic in 1994 after 21 years of working for Dr. Charles Picus..nbsp; Married Fred W. Speer in Rockford on February 22, 1980. nbsp;She had been a volunteer for Rockford Health Systems Auxillary, tutored reading at Nelson School and was a Lifescapes Meals on Wheels volunteer.nbsp; Joanne was a loving, high energy, organized woman.nbsp; Gardening was a huge part of her life and she loved to walk, enjoyed all types of music, appreciated nature and wildlife and was a voracious reader.nbsp; She showed unconditional love and acceptance to her family and all of the patients she worked with through the years.nbsp; Joanne was totally devoted to her family and truly lived the life of, its better to give than to receive. nbsp; Survivors include her husband, Fred; children, Roy (Mari) Mattocks, Roscoe, John (Dianna) Mattocks, Seymour, IN, Tim Mattocks, Rockford and Laura Roberts, Machesney Park; children by marriage; Kelly (Russ) Hunter, Rockford, Patrick (Leann) Speer, Rockton and Tim (Julia) Speer, Roscoe; 16 dearly loved grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.nbsp; Also survived by her sisters, Jean Fuller, Durand, Julie Ulrich, Rockford; brother, Jim (Gracie) Green, Copperopolis, CA.; mother-in-law, Jane Speer, Rockford and brother-in-law, Will (Susan) Speer, Saratoga, WY.nbsp; Predeceased by her parents, sister, Laura (Dolly) Belter, son-in-law, John Roberts, grandson, Michael Mattocks, nephew, Michael Green, great nephew, Mark Walden, brothers-in-law, Robert Fuller and Paul Ulrich and her father-in-law, Roy Speer. Joannes family would like to give a special thank-you to the Northern Illinois Hospice amp; Grief Center staff, especially Rebecca and Pat. nbsp;A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with Rev. Dr. William Richard Kerr, Sr. officiating.nbsp; Visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice amp; Grief Center or Shriners Childrens Hospital.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com