Janet (Mcnabb) Marelli

Janet (McNabb) Marelli, 97, Rockford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, after a short stay at PA Peterson at the Citadel. She was previously a resident at Heritage Woods of Rockford for 8 1/2 years. She was born September 10, 1924, in Eau Claire, WI, the daughter of Clarence and Noreen (Conway) McNabb. Janet grew up in Beloit, WI, the 2nd of 5 children. She graduated from St. Anthony School of Nursing in 1947. Janet was personally appointed to be the administrator of the new Rockford Clinic in the early 1960’s. Janet married Thomas A. Marelli on February 23, 1963, in St. Jude Catholic Parish in Beloit. He predeceased her on February 4, 1995, leaving her a widow for the past 26 years. Together they raised 2 children. Janet decided to retire from the clinic at an early age when kids came into their lives to become a home maker. She had a lifelong enormous dedicated devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and attended Mass daily when she was able to drive. She watched Catholic Mass on television and recited the Rosary daily until the end.
Survived by her son, Thomas “Buster” (Dawn) Marelli and her daughter, Mary (Bobby) Graham; her grandchildren, 2nd Warrant Officer, Justin, Travis, and Nicole, and Samantha and Matthew Graham; many great-grandchildren; her sister’s-in-law, Janet and Marilyn McNabb; many nieces and nephews, her special friends, Donna and Nancy and a very, very special person in her life, Rea Cassidy. Predeceased by her husband, Thomas, her parents, her sister, Mary Noreen McNabb, her brothers, Bishop John C. McNabb, OSA, Professor Emeritus, Cal McNabb and Jerome “Jerry” McNabb, and her sister-in-law, Sister Mary Anthony Marelli, OP.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 1, 2021, at St. Edward Catholic Church, 3004 11th St., Rockford, with Reverend William Schuessler officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until time of Mass on Friday at the Church. Private family entombment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.