IRENE E. WHITNEY Loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmotherBELVIDERE – Irene E. Whitney, 85, of Belvidere, died October 29, 2009, in Maple Crest Care Centre after an extended illness. She was born May 28, 1924, in Belvidere, the daughter of Robert Scott and Eleanor (Sawrey) Scott. Irene married Samuel D. Whitney on December 11, 1948, in Belvidere. She graduated from Belvidere High School in 1943. Upon graduation, she went to work in the Purchasing Department of J. I. Case Co. in Rockford. Irene was a faithful and active member of First United Methodist Church in Belvidere where she taught church school. She was a member of Bykota Guild and participated in numerous church activities. Irene served as a Boone County election judge, and she was a volunteer with many Belvidere civic groups. She belonged to The Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, Samuel; daughter, Cathy J. (Jay) Trost of Rockford; son, Curtis S. (Kathleen) Whitney of Rochelle; son, Stuart D. (Sarah) Whitney of Rockford; granddaughter, Shannon Whitney (Rohit) Sirur of Eureka, MO; granddaughter, Erika J. Trost of Naperville; granddaughter Kelly J. Whitney of Frederick, MD; grandson, Jeffrey C. Trost of Rockford; granddaughter Kayla C. Whitney of Rockford; great-grandson Siddharth Sirur of Eureka, MO; great-granddaughter Ashwini Sirur of Eureka, MO; and several cousins in England. Predeceased by her parents and infant sister.

Memorials can be given in care of Boone County Council on Aging/Keenage Center, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere, IL 61008 or to First United Methodist Church in Irene's memory.