Melba "Mafi" J. Perez

Melba “Mafi” Jewell Perez, 73, of Rockford, passed away on January 30, 2024. She was born on January 2, 1951, in Rockford, the daughter of Jewel and Euthel (Ratliff) Dixon. She married Raul Perez on. Mafi was extremely proud of earning her high school diploma from Rock Valley College at the age of 62.

Mafi enjoyed bingo and trips to the casino. She was active in her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great great nieces and nephews’ lives. Known as very loving, extremely punctual, and at times sassy and having a love for the color purple. During the summer you could find her under a tree at the park with her puzzle books.

She is survived by those who loved her most, husband, Raul “Fifi”; siblings, Kathy Dixon and Bob (Linda) Dixon; brother in law, Wes Russell; nieces and nephews, Leslie (Memo) Maldonado, Jose Dixon, Samantha Dixon, Luis Garcia, James (Chris) Russell, Lori (Doug) Hartman, John (Sam) Russell, Brad (Lissette) Dixon, Andrea Dixon, Heather Barnhart, Brian (Kalena) Dixon, and Bob Dixon Jr; great nieces and nephews, Reyna (Chilaz) Rodriquez, Stephanie (Jesus) Colunga, Victoria (Junior Castro) Maldonado, Daniel Maldonado, Selena Dixon, Tiffany Russell, Noah Russell, Gabrielle Russell, Katelyn Noble, Jacob Noble, Hannah Noble, Rebekah Noble, Kayden, Jaxtyn, Marcus, McKenzie, Axl, Ravyn, Zander, and Hanley; great great nieces and nephews, Damian, Reyna, Janessa, Jaziel, Alexia, Liam, Emelia, Israel, Scarlett, Max, and Toby. She is predeceased by her parents; sister, Barbara Russell; niece, Chris Long; and friends, Pat and Mary Fry.

Services will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00pm with the Funeral Service starting at 6:00pm. The family invites everyone to please wear purple. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Please share memories and condolences online.