Josephine J. McBride

Josephine Whitley McBride, 93, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on November 02, 2014, surrounded by her granddaughter Sheryl and grandson in-law Dick Booth, great granddaughter Julie and great grandson in-law Keith Cummings, great granddaughter Jeani Stieh and Craig Sterkeson, great great grandson Brandon and special longtime friend Peggy Thurman after a short illness. Born Josephine Senatre on February 25, 1921 in Rockford, IL, to a family of three boys and eight girls; the wildly beautiful Josephine was married to Joseph Whitley for over sixty years and raised two daughters with him, Shirley (Felix) Speracino of Winnebago Il and Jeani (Alton) Gates, each having four children of their own Phil (Mary Lou) Speracino, Steve (Linda) Speracino, Marty Speracino & Brie (Mark) Kuster. Sheryl (Dick) Booth, Kathy Mann,Scott Gates (Jodee), and Kelli (Todd) Quade.

Josie was a devout wife, caring for Joseph during a lengthy illness in their home, never leaving his side. After being widowed, Josephine met and married David McBride, but was again widowed after only four short years. Josie was a great homemaker cooking and baking from scratch, doing all her own wallpapering and painting, gardening and canning, and loved the holidays. Josie had a passion for fishing, boating and exercise. Josie road a stationary bike with her care givers daily, prodding them on with,“You must never give up.”

She is survived by her daughter Shirley Speracino and her youngest brother Tony Senatre, her grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Josie lost her youngest daughter Jeani to cancer five years ago.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Comfort Keepers and their wonderful staff for their love and care for Josie in her home for the past year. A special thanks to her long time care givers Diane, Chasna, Lucy, and Sharon for loving her like your own grandmother. Also a special thanks to Heartland Hospice and the chaplins for your many services and tenderness at such a challenging time. Chandra R.N., thank you for all your many kindnesses and Julianna R.N. for bringing in the presence of God with you to the home and hearts of all at her bedside the night of her passing; Dr. Wedel for your patient hours spent with me on the phone. We’d also like to extend a very special thank you to Pastor Keith and Cathy Manley from Grace Family Church and their many prayers, visits, and spiritual support; to Pastor Dave Rydell for Wednesday night sermons that Josie eagerly looked forward to every week, and to Grace Family congregation for their warmth and love. Thank you also to pastor Jeremiah and Tancy Griffin from Living Stones Church for your visits, prayers and support. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Josie’s niece Betty McWilliams for her visits and to niece Sandy Riggle King for her daily phone calls to tell my grandma how much she was loved.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Family Church 3202 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Rockford Il.on Saturday February 21st at 11:00 AM