Mary Frances Harris

Our dear mother, Mary Frances Harris, 92, passed away at Morning Star Village on July 22, 2023, after a short illness. Born in Rockford, Illinois on October 14, 1930, daughter to Michael and Margaret (Domino) Pollare. Childhood in Wyoming, graduated from Cheyenne High School and Rockford School of Business, Mary Fran spent most of her adult life in Rockford. Raising five children led to countless hours of volunteering at schools for 25 years and St. Bernadette Catholic Church Parish Council, Finance Committee and Lector at Mass.

Passionate for politics, she enjoyed campaigning for local, state and national Democratic candidates, attending the 1976 Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City as an elected state of Illinois voting delegate for Jimmy Carter and attending his Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. An active Precinct Committeewoman, Election Judge and member of the Rockford League of Women Voters, she later served her community as 9th Ward City Alderman for three years.

Love, benevolence and charity were part of her life working at National Catholic Society of Foresters as a National Director for 4 years and National Treasurer for 7 years, President of the Illinois Fraternal Congress, Officer on the Rockford Diocesan Association Board and an uncountable number of years as President of NCSF St. Anthony Court #674.

A strong love of her Italian heritage led her to serve for many years with the Greater Rockford Columbus Day Committee and Festa Italiana.

Survived by those who loved her most and will miss her homemade chicken soup with handmade pasta, meatballs with sauce, apple pie and playing cards, her children Cynthia (Mike) O’Brien, Stephanie (Steve) Bauling, Daniel (Debbie) Harris, Mary (John) Jaminski; grandchildren Matthew O’Brien, Bryn (Andrew) Kuehneman, Paige and Alex Bauling, Anthony, Samantha, Emma and Amanda Harris, Maggie and Jack Jaminski; great grandchild Mackenzie Kuehneman; sister-in-law Audrey Jansen and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is predeceased by her daughter, Susan Noble; her parents, brothers Joseph Pollare, Michael Pollare and the father of her children, Clyde Harris, Jr.

Visitation on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 9:00 am until the time of Funeral Mass, 10:00 am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave, Rockford, Illinois, 61103. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ProMedica Hospice for all the support and care that they have shown to Mary Fran and family. Please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com to send online condolences and share memories.