Ruth Rita Bailey Schwartz

Ruth Rita Bailey Schwartz, 83, of Rockford, IL, passed away with her beloved husband by her side on Thursday, March 4, 2021. She was born in Rockford, IL on February 5, 1938 to Alfred and Ester (DeGrof) Bailey. Ruth graduated from West High School in 1956 and then went on to get her Nursing degree from Rockford Memorial Hospital in 1959. Ruth worked as a nurse for 40 years before retiring. She married the love of her life, Bill Schwartz on June 18, 1960. Ruth served as a Winnebago County volunteer Nurse for March of Dimes for 10 years and was also a woman certificate holder for the United States Power Squadron, attaining the rank of advanced pilot. She had a passion for helping others. Ruth was friendly, kind, and easy going. She made friends with anyone she met. Ruth loved spending her free time on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes boating with her husband. She will be greatly missed.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill; her sister-in-law, Sally Wieseler; her nephews, Kenny (Debbie) Bailey, Scott Kiefer, Randy Kiefer, Fred Schwartz, and Jeffrey Schwartz; her nieces, Rita Cardwell and Tami Tank. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Walter Bailey; her brothers-in-law, Don Schwartz and Fred Schwartz; and her nephew, Steven Bailey.
Bill would like to extend a special thank you to Mercyhealth at Home, especially to Veronica and Shelly for all of their compassion and care during this time.
A walk-through visitation will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines must be followed. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Ruth’s name to Mercyhealth at Home-Rockford.
Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com