Mary C. Wilson

Mary Catherine Wilson, age 84, of Rockford, IL went home to her Lord and Savior on June 5, 2023.  She died at home surrounded by family.  Mary was born on April 29, 1939 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Harry and Dorothy (Livingston) Kelly. She resided in Rockford until moving to Byron in 1972.  She moved back to Rockford in 2020, living her last three years with her son and daughter-in-law.  Mary graduated from Rockford West High School, class of 1957.  She married Ron Bartscher on January 10, 1959. He died October 13, 1976.  She married Jim Wilson in 1979.  The most important thing in Mary’s life was her family.  She was a loving, caring mother and grandmother, welcoming all the “bonus” children and grandchildren with open arms.  Mary loved to serve her family, preparing wonderful dinners, and planning special gatherings for the large clan.  She never missed attending her grandchildren’s sports, music, and theater events throughout the years. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a former member of the Byron Women’s Club.  Mary was an avid reader and frequent patron of the Byron Public Library.  She enjoyed doing word puzzles and collecting porcelain dolls and angels.  She had a passion for decorating her home for every holiday, especially St. Patrick’s Day, being the true Irish lady that she was.  Mary is survived by daughter Christine (Jim) Fortune of Aurora, CO, son Steve (Anita) Bartscher of Rockford, IL; four step-children, Cheryl Gobble of Mauldin, SC, Don (Diane) Hughes of Leaf River, Pam Wilson of Byron and Nanette (John) Gibson of Byron; grandchildren Ron Demus (Jessica), Nathan Demus (Stephanie), Jennifer Demus (Lance), Michael Heller, Ryan Bartscher, Isabelle Bartscher, Megan (Kevin) Sandall, Sarah Smiley, Chase Gobble, Cal Gobble, Keith (Kaylee) Gibson, Casey Gibson, Emily Gibson, Brandon Wilson, Devyn Wilson, Melissa (Dan) Pepper, and Matt Flowers; great-grandchildren Rylee Navickis, Madelynn and Kenzley Sandall, Paisley Cordonnier, Avery Wilson, Grayson and Brooks Pepper, Olivia and Kya Demus, and Lydia, Lacy, and Levi Gibson.  Also survived by her sister Dorothy Weaver and her special caregiver, Amy Bankes.   Predeceased by her parents, sisters Fran, Connie, and Shirley, first husband Ron Bartscher, husband Jim Wilson, daughter Lori Bartscher, granddaughter Kori Lyn Gibson, and great-grandson Abraham Gibson.