Irene M. Hamilton

Irene M. Hamilton

Dec. 22, 1923 - July 26, 2015

McHENRY, Ill. -- Irene M. Hamilton, age 91, of McHenry, died Sunday, July 26, 2015, at her residence.

She was born Dec. 22, 1923, in McCook, Nebraska, to John and Lenora (Hesterworth) Wilcox. On June 14, 1945, she married F. Dean Hamilton at St. Patrick's Church in McCook.

Irene lived in Rockford for 25 years, with the last four months in McHenry. For over 30 years she was a bookkeeper for several companies. Irene was a faithfully devoted member of St. Rita's Catholic Church of Rockford. She sang in the choir, helped with funeral luncheons and volunteered for the mailing crew.

In Irene's younger years, she was a 4-H member and became a leader when she encouraged her own children to join. Other enjoyments were playing piano, painting, needlework, gardening and crafts. Irene was also a great cook and baker.

Irene is survived by her loving husband, Dean; four children, Cheryl Hamilton, Michael (Linda) Hamilton, Bruce Hamilton and Sheila (James) Powers; three grandchildren, Gina (Adam) Duman, Eric (Amanda) Hamilton and Jeffrey (Megan) Hamilton; three great-grandchildren, Elena, Emmett and Dean, with a fourth on the way; and her sister, Jean (the late Twig) Terwilliger.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by two sisters, Bernadine and Joan; and a brother, Irvin.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at the Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 W. Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050. The funeral Mass will follow visitation at 12 p.m.

Inurnment will be private.

For those wishing to send an expression of sympathy, her family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Ste. 800, Chicago, IL 60631 or a breast cancer foundation of the donor's choice.

For information, please call Justen Funeral Home & Crematory at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends may leave an on-line condolence message for her family.