Susan Sabrowski, 85, of Rockford, Illinois passed away at River Bluff Nursing Home on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with her three daughters at her side. She was born and raised in Jamestown, New York, the daughter of Linsly and Dorothy (Rugg) Brown. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1956 and went on to attend one year at Wells College in Aurora, NY. She left college and moved to Rockford with her parents in 1957, when her dad was transferred to a position at Mattison Machine.
Shortly after moving to Rockford, she met the love of her life, Dan Sabrowski, while she worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office in the same building where Dan was a pharmacist. They were married on November 25, 1961 at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford.
She was a stay-at-home mom for several years. As her children grew, she sold Avon, worked in the pharmacy with her husband, and eventually started working part time. Later, she worked full time for the Diocese of Rockford as an office assistant for The Observer, where she worked for 27 years. She retired in 2021, at the age of 82. She enjoyed the people she worked with and many of them became great friends.
Sue was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church since the parish started as “Cathedral” church. She was very involved at church, including being an active member of the Women’s Guild, sewing altar linens, and filling many roles such as usher, eucharistic minister, and altar linens ministry. She was awarded with the honor of “Woman of the Year” for Holy Family Parish in 2012. She also volunteered for CASA for 25 years.
Susan was a wonderful wife, mom, friend, and a woman of unending faith. She was a kind, gentle, yet strong woman with a loving heart.
She will be missed by many, especially daughters: Barb Eyster (Dan), Kathy Stockburger (Todd), and Becky Winstead (Ryan). Grandchildren: Melissa and Andy Eyster, Logan Stockburger, Griffin and Miles Winstead, nephews, nieces, and friends.
She is predeceased by husband, Dan (1991), daughter, Peggy (2000), parents, Linsly and Dorothy Brown, brother, Gary, and in-laws, Herb and Effie Sabrowski.
Thank you to the staff of Serenity Hospice and Home, especially, Whitney, Jen B., and Dr. Kalweit. Also, thank you to the staff at River Bluff Nursing Home for all of the special care, especially Sue’s “sweetheart,” Keisha.
A visitation will take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. There also will be a visitation on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to the time of Funeral Mass, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford, IL 61107. Msgr. Stephen Knox officiating. Final resting place will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Holy Family Catholic Church or Serenity Hospice and Home.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
3:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory - Mulford
Monday, March 25, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Holy Family Catholic Church
Monday, March 25, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Holy Family Catholic Church
Monday, March 25, 2024
Ends at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Calvary Catholic Cemetery - Winnebago/Rockford
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