Catherine Irene Shipley, 80 of Belvidere, passed away at home following a long illness on March 4, 2006. She was born April 13, 1925 in Mohawk, Tennessee, the daughter of BB Riley and Nancy Parilee (Lambert) Riley. She married Claude Eugene Shipley on July 22, 1943 in Greene County, Tennessee. Catherine worked at Automatic Electric in Genoa for 30 years, retiring in June 1990. From July 1990 to May 1999, she worked as a Pink Lady of St. Joseph Hospital. Over the nine years, she volunteered 1602 ½ hours. In March of 1991, she decieded to come out of retirement and started working part time at Tru Value in Belvidere. The joy of her life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Catherine enjoyed being active and spending time with her friends. We would like to thank Dr. Eric Trautmann, his nurse Chris, and staff at Swedish-American Health System for their wonderful care. Also a special thanks to Sally, Rondi, Carol, Anita and Gail at Heartland Hospice and Janice Josette, Kristi, Lisa and Larissa at Home Instead Senior Care for their caring attitude and supporting us during Mom's final days. Catherine leaves many cherished memories with her daughters, Patsy (Ed) Christiansen, of Rockford; Linda (George) Morey of Belvidere; son, Kenneth (Cathy) Shipley of Genoa; granddaughters, Rachel (Jenny) Shipley, of Green Valley; Beth (Peter) Grady of Roscoe; Julie (Joseph) Ratliff of Genoa; Jolene (Ryan) O'Donnell of Genoa; grandsons, Ryan (Becka) Morey of Belvidere; Michael (Erin) Morey of Belvidere; and John (Alyson) Shipley of Genoa; Claudia Joyner and Judy Parks both of Tennessee; brothers, Frank (Kay) Riley and Joe (Nancy) Riley both of Tennessee; great grandchildren, Jayna, Anna, Joseph, Megan, Jason, Jacob, Kelsey, Mackenzie, Savannah, Marcus, Ashlee and baby –to-be Morey, and special friends, Annie Poe, Bernice Stone, Barb Heidenger, Betty McClenthen, and the "Birthday Girls" Predeceased in death by her parents, husband, brother, Herman Riley; sister, Carrie Bea Ramsey and grandson, Jason Shipley.

Memorials may be given in care of the family for a memorial to be determined at a later date.