Mary J. Bowes

On Thursday June 26th, 2025, Mary Joanne Bowes lost her eleven-year battle with cancer. She was born on September 22, 1965, in Rockford Illinois to two loving parents, Earl and Catherine “Cay” (Conroy) Hickey. Mary grew up as an only child and was the center of her parents’ world.

Throughout her childhood, Mary enjoyed visiting her cousins on family farms. She attended Holy Family Catholic School for primary and middle schools. She later attended Boylan Central Catholic high school where she made many of her lifelong friends. After high school, Mary was accepted into Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, an all-girls, Catholic university, where she studied behavioral sciences.

After finishing college, Mary moved to San Bernadino, California for several years where she developed a passion for geriatrics. She began working in a home healthcare setting shortly before moving home back to her parents’ house in Rockford at the age of 25.

No sooner that she arrived home, she met the love of her life, John Bowes. They quickly fell deeply in love and were engaged and then married on October 27, 1990. After getting married, Mary worked at numerous healthcare facilities, most notably of which were OSF St. Anthony’s Medical Center, St. Anne’s Nursing home, and Van Matre Rehab Institute. Whenever she was not at work, she enjoyed going out to eat, spending time with her friends, watching Hallmark Movies, and celebrating birthdays.

Mary’s greatest and proudest vocation was being a mother. Her dedication to her children was exemplary. Always listening, making her children feel heard and respected, Mary showered her children with warmth and love. Mary’s happiest place was at home with her children and family.

She was always happy and smiling. She was never anything but sweet to others. She NEVER complained about anything, not even at the end when some complaining would be warranted. She was truly among the best of us.

Mary faithfully attended mass every Sunday all the way up until it became too laborious and demanding on her strength. Her faith was at the center of everything she did. In leading by example, Mary modeled how to live a life of grace and reverence.

Mary was predeceased by her father and mother Earl and Catherine Hickey and her brother and sister-in-Law Susan Bowes-Johns and Steve Bowes.

She is survived by her husband John Bowes, her children Andrea (Nicholas) Russell and Ryan Bowes; sisters-in-law Patti (Dan) Riccio, Barb Bowes-Kaeding (Don), Jane Anderson, best friend/sister Cindy Rodriguez; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews [Lon Weberg, Lori Johnson, Amy Riccio, Angie Riccio, Jason (Katie) Tracey, Justin Tracey, Adam (Mary Beth) Anderson, Julie (Jeremiah) Anderson, Eric Anderson] and countless great nieces and great nephews.

The family would like to thank OSF Hospice, especially Julie RN and Christina CNA. Your kindness and compassion were such a comfort throughout this whole process.

We would also like to give a special thanks to Dr. Einhorn and everyone else at the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center. Mary said that she missed seeing you all several times throughout her time with Hospice. You all had had such a positive impact on her life. She had stated earlier in the year that the Cancer Center had been her most frequented place outside her home for the last 11 years. She said it had become somewhere that felt safe for her, a security net. We will forever be grateful for getting so many more years than we could have ever initially imagined. So many cherished memories were made.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Visitation will continue on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd, Rockford, Illinois 61107. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com