1969
Mary
2025
Mary Agnes Stanton
December 31, 1969 — October 28, 2025
Mary Agnes (Fleege) Stanton
,
90, of Rockford died peacefully in her sleep after a long illness on Oct. 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 13, 1935, in Dubuque, IA to Henry W. and Mary F. (Carson) Fleege of rural Galena, IL. She attended the West Diggings (one room) School, St. Mary Catholic School, and graduated from Galena High School, Class of 1952. In her teens she was a carhop at the Little Chef Drive-In. After high school she worked in the Abstract Office. She loved growing up and falling in love in Galena in the 1940's and 50's. She married Eugene (Gene) Stanton on June 26, 1954, at St. Peter's Cathedral in Rockford. A couple of years later, family started, they moved to Rockford, chasing dreams and finding opportunity. Mary worked as a waitress at the old Hollywood Drive-In, then at Henrici's in the coffeeshop. Then she joined Gene in the Monument shop to cut stencil, and they worked side-by side for many years...
In1978, they started their own business together, Stanton Cemetery Lettering, from the ground up (no pun intended). Widowed at age 61, she continued the gravesite Monument engraving until she retired at 80. She sandblasted rock until 6 months before her death. Some years she would complete 300 orders prior to Memorial Day, driving a couple hundred miles in a day to do 20 engravings. She was most proud of being approached to do the stonework for the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza, and completing that mission with her daughter, Shellie. Mom and Dad donated the engraved cornerstone for the new St Rita church when it as built. Mary was a high energy, never idle lady...blasting garden and memorial rocks, gardening, canning, making wine and jelly from her grapes, sewing, embroidery, crochet, road trips, garage saling, being a vendor at Faires and Flea markets, She made the Best.Ever . Raisin Cookies and "White Bread Toast". She loved nurturing Monarch butterflies from eggs to majesty. She was a wonderful dancer and enjoyed Saturday dances and bonfires on the islands in the Mississippi River in her younger years. She was in a Square Dance group in high school, dancing at the WLS Barn Dance in Chicago. She loved the Aragon Ballroom. She loved to travel and saw 49 states and several countries. She loved her maps; they were her magic carpet to revisit once traveled journeys and revive wonderful memories. A special highlight in her life was the time she met Katie Couric in a chance encounter in NYC. Katie invited Mary to her studio and took photos with her, she invited Mary to sit in her chair, at her desk and get photos. Mary glowed when she told this story! Thank you Katie, your kindness meant SO much...
She loved stopping by the history room at the Galena Library to share stories, reminisce, and research a little family history. She was always warmly greeted there and the center of attention for awhile, answering questions and conversing about the old days and hometown memories. She looked forward to the gatherings with her Bunco girls for many years. She loved people and they loved her. She ALWAYS SHOWED UP! So generous and giving of her time and her love...
Mary is survived by three daughters, Michelle (widow Thomas) Pike of Lena, IL, Kathleen Stanton of Rockford, and Lisa Carscallen of Jacksonville, N Carolina, Grandchildren: Robert Forsyth, Brianna (Evan Shultz) Forsyth, Caitlin Carscallen, Jennifer (Nick) Mitchell, Dorothy Jo Ninneman, and Gene Ninneman, many Great-grandchildren and cousins, and her devoted sidekick Buggs (Cuddlebugg).
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Gene, of 42 years, her parents, and her son-in-law, Tom Pike, and so many other beloved friends and family.
Services will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Rockford, Visitation at the church at 10am, Memorial Funeral Mass at 11am. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover, IL following the services. Memorials to the family,
Special gratitude to the angels at Serenity Hospice for the loving care she received....
Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com
In1978, they started their own business together, Stanton Cemetery Lettering, from the ground up (no pun intended). Widowed at age 61, she continued the gravesite Monument engraving until she retired at 80. She sandblasted rock until 6 months before her death. Some years she would complete 300 orders prior to Memorial Day, driving a couple hundred miles in a day to do 20 engravings. She was most proud of being approached to do the stonework for the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza, and completing that mission with her daughter, Shellie. Mom and Dad donated the engraved cornerstone for the new St Rita church when it as built. Mary was a high energy, never idle lady...blasting garden and memorial rocks, gardening, canning, making wine and jelly from her grapes, sewing, embroidery, crochet, road trips, garage saling, being a vendor at Faires and Flea markets, She made the Best.Ever . Raisin Cookies and "White Bread Toast". She loved nurturing Monarch butterflies from eggs to majesty. She was a wonderful dancer and enjoyed Saturday dances and bonfires on the islands in the Mississippi River in her younger years. She was in a Square Dance group in high school, dancing at the WLS Barn Dance in Chicago. She loved the Aragon Ballroom. She loved to travel and saw 49 states and several countries. She loved her maps; they were her magic carpet to revisit once traveled journeys and revive wonderful memories. A special highlight in her life was the time she met Katie Couric in a chance encounter in NYC. Katie invited Mary to her studio and took photos with her, she invited Mary to sit in her chair, at her desk and get photos. Mary glowed when she told this story! Thank you Katie, your kindness meant SO much...
She loved stopping by the history room at the Galena Library to share stories, reminisce, and research a little family history. She was always warmly greeted there and the center of attention for awhile, answering questions and conversing about the old days and hometown memories. She looked forward to the gatherings with her Bunco girls for many years. She loved people and they loved her. She ALWAYS SHOWED UP! So generous and giving of her time and her love...
Mary is survived by three daughters, Michelle (widow Thomas) Pike of Lena, IL, Kathleen Stanton of Rockford, and Lisa Carscallen of Jacksonville, N Carolina, Grandchildren: Robert Forsyth, Brianna (Evan Shultz) Forsyth, Caitlin Carscallen, Jennifer (Nick) Mitchell, Dorothy Jo Ninneman, and Gene Ninneman, many Great-grandchildren and cousins, and her devoted sidekick Buggs (Cuddlebugg).
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Gene, of 42 years, her parents, and her son-in-law, Tom Pike, and so many other beloved friends and family.
Services will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Rockford, Visitation at the church at 10am, Memorial Funeral Mass at 11am. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover, IL following the services. Memorials to the family,
Special gratitude to the angels at Serenity Hospice for the loving care she received....
Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Agnes Stanton, please visit our flower store.
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