Mary M. Keenan

Mary M. Keenan, 64, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 3, 1948, in Viroqua, Wisconsin, the daughter of Arthur and Lottie (Kinder) McKinney. Mary resided on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin until 1961, when they moved to Rockford. She was a proud graduate of the Auburn High School class of 1967, and still enjoyed attending their reunions. On May 23, 1975, she married the love of her life, Steven E. Keenan at the Church By The Side Of The Road in Rockton. In 1979, they were blessed with a wonderful son, Jeffrey Arthur. Mary was employed in customer service, bookkeeping, travel consulting, and tax preparation over a 46 year period, but always with a flexible schedule or part-time to allow time to care for her family. Over those years Mary worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Stones Hallmark, the Springer Agency, Cruisetours International, Around the World Tours, State Street Animal Clinic, and for the last 11 years as Senior Tax Advisor with H & R Block. Mary dearly loved her husband and son and cherished their time together. She loved to travel, especially cruising. Mary enjoyed escorting groups of friends and family on cruises, caring for the details and creating wonderful memories.
Survived by her husband, Steven and her son, Jeff, both of Rockford; her brother, Robert (Joanne) McKinney of Rockford; her sister, Dixie (Frank) Szuminski of LaFarge, Wisconsin; her mother-in-law, A. Joyce Keenan of Rockton; her brother-in-law, William (Deb) Keenan and her sister-in-law, Dian Keenan both of Rockford; 9 nieces and nephews; 15 great nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends. Predeceased by her parents, her brother, John William McKinney; her father-in-law, Leo E. Keenan; and her brother-in-law, John Keenan.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, April 22, 2013, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd with Reverend Barbara Miller officiating. Memorial visitation will be from 11:00 am until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Private family interment at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Per Mary's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials to the family.