Mary M. Petersen

Mary M. McDonnell Petersen, 64, Rockford, finally won her battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease on Friday, February 11, 2011. She died in the comfort of her home surrounded by her cousins Mary Arnold and June Bratina, her long time dear friend, Evy Bronowski, special Northern Illinois Hospice friends, Regina Schick and Debbie Roum and her wonderful caregiver, Byambaa Ragchaa. Born March 1, 1946 in Clinton, Iowa, daughter of Owen J. and Margaret M. Clancy McDonnell. Graduated from Our Lady of Angels Academy, Clinton, IA. in 1964 and St. Anthony School of Nursing in 1967. She also received her B.A. in Nursing from the University of Saint Francis in Joliet. Came to Rockford in 1970 and began her nursing career in the office of Dr. Fenoglio and was a member of the Junior League at that time. She then spent the next 32 years as the beloved "Nurse Mary" in Dr. Bernard O'Malley's office. She retired, due to her illness, after spending her last year as a triage nurse at OSF Rock Cut Crossing. She was a devout Catholic and lived her faith in her daily life. Mary was a very active member of the Cathedral of St. Peter where she sang in the choir for many years and participated in all aspects of the church. Out of her church participation, she became a founding member of the St. Peter's "Wild Women" group that was formed for study and evolved into a life-supporting group of friends. She was also a 24 year charter member of "Investments Unlimited". She was an avid reader, a poet and loved to garden. She was proud of her Scotch-Irish heritage and her greatest love later in life was being a grandma. Mary was a strong woman who was a breast cancer survivor and made her ALS journey with dignity. Numerous people traveled that journey with her and will never be forgotten. Her family would especially like to thank the Bronowski family, Liz Sprigler, Frank and Julie Buchmann, the staffs at Van Matre Rehabilitation, OSF Home Health, her OSF family, Dr. Lim, Dr. Schoenwald, Dr. Walker and her caregiver, Byambaa. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Anthony (Allison) Petersen, Ft. Knox, KY; daughter and son-in-law, Julia (John) Breuer, Munich, Germany; granddaughter, Margaret Rokos, North Carolina and her 4 month old grandson, Trey Owen Breuer of Munich; brother, Anthony J. (Peggy) McDonnell, Moscow, ID; nephew, Anthony J. (Lara) McDonnell, Kalispell, MT; niece, Bridgid (John) Knight, Missoula, MT; Paula McDonnell; great nephews, Myles and Malcolm Knight; great niece Cecelia Knight; special aunt and godmother, Georgia Caccia, her OSF family, and numerous cousins and special friends. Predeceased by her parents. A Memorial Mass will be held to celebrate Mary's life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2011 in the Cathedral of St. Peter. Memorial visitation from 5-8 p.m Friday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Prayer Service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation also from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Rd., Rockford, Il. 61108 or Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 W. Touhy Ave. Ste. 302, Skokie, IL. 60077. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.