Ilean Mae Mcnamara

Ilean Mae McNamara passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 surrounded by her 2 daughters. 

She was born on July 28, 1929 to Ralph and Alma Lind, graduated from East High School in 1947. Ilean married Robert(Bob) McNamara on July 19, 1948 and were married nearly 73 years. 

They were blessed with 4 children- John, Monica, Patricia and Michele, 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Ilean was employed as an interior decorator at Bloomquist Furniture in Rockford. Bob and Ilean spent many summers in northern Wisconsin at their lake homes. She was quite the fisherman, catching walleyes and panfish and teaching grandchildren how to fish. 

Bob and llean also lived in Florida for 25 years during their retirement, playing golf and entertaining friends and family. 

Ilean was an avid gardener raising beautiful flowers. A hobby passed on by her father. 

Ilean is will be deeply missed her children John (Diane) McNamara, Monica (Vince) Kelso, Patricia (Jeff) Berg, and Michele (Brad) Ticknor. Grandchildren- Jason Kelso, Casey Kelso, Abigail Gianesin, Patrick McNamara, Kellan Mann, Grant Ticknor, Ross Ticknor, Clint Ticknor, Leah Carlson, and Austin Berg and 23 great grandchildren. 

In memory of Ilean, please consider a donation to Heartland Hospice at 6000 East State St., Rockford, IL 61108. 

The McNamara family would like to thank the CherryVale Place staff, along with the Heartland Hospice Team, for their loving care of Ilean. 

A private funeral Mass was held on Saturday, January 6 at St. Bridget Catholic Church. Share online memories and condolences at wwwfitzgeraldfh.com