Mary Finan

Mary Veronica Finan, 98, a lifelong resident of Rockford, died on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Provena Cor Mariae. Born December 30, 1913, the daughter of Leo M. and Vera (McCarren) Byrne. Mary attended St. Thomas High School for three years and graduated in the first graduating class of Bishop Muldoon High School. She married her loving husband Arthur Finan on August 9, 1941 in Rockford.

Mary worked in the office of Dr. Roger Bissekumer and for Johnson Pharmacy for several years. She was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of St. Peter and was in the initial first communion class. Mary lived at The Terrace Apartment for 18 years, was an avid card player, and had many friends. She was a very religious woman and her family was her pride and joy. A special thank you to her nurse, Lara, her therapist, Jim and all of the staff at Provena Cor Mariae.

Survivors include her daughter, Joanne (Arthur) Baylis; grandchildren, Kathleen Baylis, Lawrence (Adriane) Baylis and Carolyn (fiance David Harris) Baylis; great grandson, Joseph Baylis; sister, Catherine Myers Phelps and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; her parents;stepmother, Helen Brockman Byrne;brother, Leo Byrne Jr. and sister, Anne Byrne.

Funeral Mass Friday, March 23, 2012 at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St.nbsp; Interment will be held in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago. Visitation Thursday, March 22 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside chapel 3910 N. Rockton Ave. from 47 p.m. with a rosary servicenbsp; to be recited at 7 pm. Visitation continues on Friday at church from 9:30nbsp; am until time of prayer at 10:15 am.

In lieu of flowers, send memorials in her name to: Cathedral of St. Peter or the Ethnic Heritage Museum.