Belvidere, IllinoisMary-Hope C. Ferrara, 73, of Garden Prairie, Illinois died early Sunday morning, April 22, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her death. Mary-Hope was born October 28, 1933, in Chester, Connecticut, the daughter of Albert and Mary (Albanese) Carini. She graduated from Chester High School in 1951 where she was the class Valedictorian. She earned her Bachelors Degree from Simmons College in Boston, MA in 1955 and her Master's Degree in Education from Boston University in 1958. Mary-Hope Carini married Dr. Thomas J. Ferrara on February 6, 1954 in Chester, Connecticut. The couple moved to Belvidere, IL in 1963.Mary-Hope's lifelong love was teaching. She spent more than 40 years teaching, in the Belvidere and Rockford Public School systems. She spent much of her career at Rockford Guildford High School where she taught in the Home Economics department. She taught courses in early childhood development, marriage and family living, house design, food preparation, and sewing. Mary-Hope was an innovator in early childhood development. She was instrumental in developing the first high school pre-school program in the Rockford School system. In 1965, to meet a growing need for early childhood care and development, she founded Kiddie Kollege Day Care and Pre-School in Belvidere. She retired from the Rockford Public School system in 1996. Following her retirement Mary-Hope continued to nurture our youth as a substitute teacher for the Catholic Diocese Of Rockford, St James School in Belvidere, and Kishwaukee Elementary in Garden Prairie. She dearly loved, and was loved, by the children in each of those schools. Her substitute teaching career remained a top priority throughout her retirement. Prior to and during retirement, Mary-Hope and her husband, Tom, spent many weeks each year traveling the globe and enjoying the many wonders the world has to offer. Through their travels and their involvement in The Sister Cities Program, they built many lasting friendships not only around the world, but right here in their own back yard. Cooking was Mary-Hope's passion. She grew up in a restaurant family. She taught classes and conducted seminars in Italian food and culture. From choosing the recipe, shopping for the ingredients, preparing and presenting the meal, to eating her creations, Mary-Hope loved all aspects of food. She was well known for her brownie treats. Mary-Hope's faith guided her many volunteer and community activities. Mary-Hope was a member of St. James Catholic Church, former president of St. James Catholic Daughters, St. James School Education Commission, St. James Why Catholic, Catholic Women's League, Rockford Diocese Woman of the Year 2004, Caritas Woman of the Year 2007, Board of Directors for Boone County Council on Aging, Board of Directors Belvidere Sister Cities, former member of Zonta International, St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, former member of Ostende Dance Club, former member of the Gourmet Club, Rockford Retired Teachers Association and the Winnebago-Boone Retired Teachers Association.Survivors include her husband, Dr. Thomas J. Ferrara of Garden Prairie; children, Marirose (John Mullin) Ferrara of Oak Park, IL, Dr. Hope (Dr. Richard Snively) Ferrara Snively of Herndon, VA, Carina (Jeffery Furst) Ferrara-Furst of Rockford; grandchildren, Sabina FerraraMullin, 24, Lena FerraraMullin, 16, Michael Snively, 19, Lauren Snively, 17, Carly Snively, 15, Joseph Thomas Snively, 11, Thomas Ferrara Furst, 6, Alexander Furst,3, Isabel Furst,3; sister-in-law, Mary Timothy of Rockford. Mary-Hope is also survived by many friends in her teaching, volunteer and religious activities and lengthy travels. Mary-Hope is predeceased by her parents.

Memorials can be made in honor of Mary-Hope C. Ferrara, to the St. James Elementary School Scholarship Fund, 535 Caswell Street, Belvidere, IL, 61008.