Margaret L. Spoden

Margaret L. (O’Brien) Spoden, 95, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025 due to natural causes. Margaret was born on May 31, 1929 in Rockford, IL, the second daughter of Nate and Marie (Doonan) O’Brien. Margaret lived the next 84 years on the west side of Rockford, a fact that she held close to her heart.

Margaret was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and shared her vigor equally with her older sister, Mary Ellen (O’Brien) Johnson. The two were nearly joined at the hip in their actions, words and demeanor having grown up together in the Great Depression drinking coffee as milk was too expensive for the table. Their lifelong friendship and mutual admiration was far above a usual sibling relationship.

Margaret graduated from Muldoon High School in 1947 and married John F. (Jack) Spoden on December 27, 1949. Their adventure together in life included Jack’s service in the National Guard at Fort Sheridan along with the birth of five children before moving to the house on Post Avenue. There they welcomed a sixth child. Jack often remarked in the ensuing organized chaos that “Your mother makes me think that I’m in charge” while all knew Margaret’s spirit kept the house functioning.

Margaret was to live in the house for 50 years next to the family's dear friends, Bill and Bonnie Richards. The Spoden family had grown to include four grandchildren before Jack’s passing in 1987. The family continued to grow to its current stature of Margaret being the Grandmother of 16 and Great-Grandmother of 18. The entire immediate family now sits at 53 members including spouses.

The family will miss its matriarch dearly.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents Nate and Marie O’Brien, husband Jack Spoden, her sister Mary Ellen and husband Ted Johnson, her sister-in-law Joan and husband William Bartel and husband Paul Rafferty, brother-in-law Gilbert and wife Ginny, niece Pam Spoden, nephew Curt Johnson, and great-niece Kim Seaberg.

Margaret is survived by son Michael Spoden (Connie), daughter Connie Jackson (Jeff), son Daniel Spoden (Lois), son Thomas Spoden (Joan), son John Spoden (Colleen), son Patrick Spoden (Kambria), adopted son Jeffrey Kemp, grandchildren Matthew Spoden (Lauren), Anne Kiss, Katie List (Ben Leubsdorf), Steven List (Lauren), Kellie List, Charles Jackson, Leigh Sargeant (Benjamin), Christopher Spoden, Emily Spoden, Brien Spoden (Casey), Erika Spoden, Allison Hopkins (Patrick), Connor Spoden, Rory Spoden, Aaron Spoden and Colleen Rose (Austin), great-grandchildren Cooper Spoden, McKinleigh Kiss, Esther Leubsdorf, Abe Leubsdorf, Landen Pate, Lennon List, Layla List, Samuel Sargeant, Dominic Sargeant, Peter Sargeant, Rose Sargeant, Isaiah Sargeant, Grant Spoden, Nate Spoden, Nora Hopkins, Micheal Hopkins, Zander Rose, Sophie Rose, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 9:00 AM until time of funeral service at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 1243 N Church St., Rockford, IL. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Poor Clares, 2111 S. Main St., Rockford, IL 61102.

 Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam