Shirley M Whitford

Shirley M. Whitford, 76, of Rockford went to be with the Lord on Saturday April 2nd 2011 in Swedish American hospital surrounded by her adoring family. She was born June 3rd 1934 in Rochester, New Hampshire the daughter of Henry and Blanche Farmer. Shirley married the love of her life, Edward Whitford on February 19th 1955 in Warwick, Rhode Island. Married for 56 years, she made a wonderful home for her husband, children and grandchildren. She welcomed several missionaries, students and friends into her home and always did it with a smile, great hospitality and a kind word. Shirley enjoyed camping trips with her husband, biking, rocking on her back porch, looking at her flower gardens and watching God’s creatures. She was a member of Berean Baptist Church and loved working in the nursery. Truly, the most wonderful wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend that God could have ever given us and she will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband Edward, children Stephen (Chris) Whitford, Cheryl (Cliff) Howard, Terri (Mark) Telloyan, Thomas (Linda) Whitford, Pam (Carl) DiMario, Tim (Cathy) Whitford, Rachel (Darrell) Haskett, and grandchildren Cynthia, Mark (Jesica) and Matthew; Stephanie and Lauren; Emily (Jacob) and Ashley; Jennifer and Jordan; Chelsea, Cierra, Cody and Danielle; and 7 great-grandchildren. Also, sister Karen (Johnny) Lopes, sister-in-law Barbara and brother-in-law Jimmy and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Special thanks to Nurse Megan and the ICU staff at Swedish American Hospital, also thank you to Pastor Mark Swanson and fellow members of Berean Baptist Church for their prayers and support during this difficult time.

Service will be Friday April 8th at Berean Baptist Church on Safford Rd in Rockford at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial through Rockford Memorial Development for Diabetes Education in her name, 2400 N. Rockton Ave Rockford, IL 61103.