Joan O'Rourke
June 27th, 1929 - February 23rd, 2022
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Joan's Obituary
Joan O’Rourke, 92, of Rockford, IL, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph, MI.
Joan was born June 27, 1929, in Rockford, IL., the daughter of Joseph and Annie Carlson. She was raised in Rockford and graduated from East High School. Joan went on to attend Northwestern University in Chicago before returning to Rockford to work for Liberty Mutual Insurance where she met the love of her life, Donald M. O’Rourke and married in 1950. Together they raised two wonderful daughters, Kristine (Stuart) Cohn of West Palm Beach, FL, and Karin (John) Janick of St. Joseph, MI.
Joan was active with the Jenny Lind Society of the Swedish American Hospital. She spent many years in the field of child development in Illinois and Michigan and truly found her niche and passion when she worked at the Head Start program for the City of Rockford. She filled many roles as teacher, parent educator and home visit coordinator. When she retired, she was honored by Mayor Charles Box with a key to the city.
She was a Board member and volunteer serving the CASA Program of Winnebago County and leveraged that experience when she moved to Michigan and served on the State CASA Review Board and a Board Member for Capstone Family Center.
Joan was appointed to the Winnebago County Coroners Review Board as a Juror serving from 2011-2018 where she thoroughly enjoyed doing meaningful work and creating a new circle of friends.
Joan studied interior design while at Northwestern and she and Don had a shared interest in home renovations during their 52 years of marriage. Their proudest accomplishment was the conversion of a Centennial Dairy Barn on Guilford Road into a one of a kind home for many years.
Her second true love was her Grandson, Casey (Erin) Janick of Wilmette, IL and Great Granddaughter, Liv. Grandma would spend time regularly talking with Casey and never missed a chance to visit with little Liv. Joan was an avid recreational shopper scouring her favorite TJ Maxx stores for special deals. She filled her later years working on her IPad, following Notre Dame football, watching her favorite TV Judge programs, and channeled her artistic flair into painting rocks of her own unique designs.
Joan is survived by her daughters, Kristine (Stuart) Cohn, Karin (John) Janick, grandson, Casey (Erin) Janick and great granddaughter, Liv Janick. She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Donald, her parents and brother, Robert Carlson.
A private celebration of life service will be scheduled in Rockford this summer.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Caring Circle Hospice targeted for the Therapy Dog and Pet Peace of Mind programs. www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle. Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Joan was born June 27, 1929, in Rockford, IL., the daughter of Joseph and Annie Carlson. She was raised in Rockford and graduated from East High School. Joan went on to attend Northwestern University in Chicago before returning to Rockford to work for Liberty Mutual Insurance where she met the love of her life, Donald M. O’Rourke and married in 1950. Together they raised two wonderful daughters, Kristine (Stuart) Cohn of West Palm Beach, FL, and Karin (John) Janick of St. Joseph, MI.
Joan was active with the Jenny Lind Society of the Swedish American Hospital. She spent many years in the field of child development in Illinois and Michigan and truly found her niche and passion when she worked at the Head Start program for the City of Rockford. She filled many roles as teacher, parent educator and home visit coordinator. When she retired, she was honored by Mayor Charles Box with a key to the city.
She was a Board member and volunteer serving the CASA Program of Winnebago County and leveraged that experience when she moved to Michigan and served on the State CASA Review Board and a Board Member for Capstone Family Center.
Joan was appointed to the Winnebago County Coroners Review Board as a Juror serving from 2011-2018 where she thoroughly enjoyed doing meaningful work and creating a new circle of friends.
Joan studied interior design while at Northwestern and she and Don had a shared interest in home renovations during their 52 years of marriage. Their proudest accomplishment was the conversion of a Centennial Dairy Barn on Guilford Road into a one of a kind home for many years.
Her second true love was her Grandson, Casey (Erin) Janick of Wilmette, IL and Great Granddaughter, Liv. Grandma would spend time regularly talking with Casey and never missed a chance to visit with little Liv. Joan was an avid recreational shopper scouring her favorite TJ Maxx stores for special deals. She filled her later years working on her IPad, following Notre Dame football, watching her favorite TV Judge programs, and channeled her artistic flair into painting rocks of her own unique designs.
Joan is survived by her daughters, Kristine (Stuart) Cohn, Karin (John) Janick, grandson, Casey (Erin) Janick and great granddaughter, Liv Janick. She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Donald, her parents and brother, Robert Carlson.
A private celebration of life service will be scheduled in Rockford this summer.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Caring Circle Hospice targeted for the Therapy Dog and Pet Peace of Mind programs. www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle. Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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