Shirley Mae Pearse (Haffenden-Williams)

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Shirley M. Pearse, 87, of Rockford, IL passed away Sunday evening, April 30, 2023 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. Shirley was born June 17, 1935, the daughter of Jesse and Bessie (Sinclair) Williams. Her father, Jesse Williams, died when Shirley was only 4 years old. Her mother, Bessie, later married Edwin Haffenden who raised Shirley as his own daughter.

She graduated from Belvidere High School in 1953. Shirley married the love of her life, John Lyle Pearse on June 5, 1954. Shirley and John raised 5 children on a small farm.

She was a homemaker. When the children were still at home, they were very involved in 4-H, Sports, Grange, and Horse Shows. Shirley was a longtime member of the Boone County Saddle Club and the Guilford Hope Grange. Shirley was a kind hearted hospitable woman. She deeply loved and cared for the people and animals that crossed her path. She relished in life's many blessings and always wore a smile.

John & Shirley continued the ancestral tradition of making Maple Syrup, and passed that knowledge down to their children. She loved animals and raised several orphan wildlife. She loved to grow a garden in the summertime and showed baked goods, homegrown vegetables, and photographs for several years at the Boone County Fair. After John's retirement from Woodward Governor in 1991, John and Shirley traveled full-time for 21 years around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, John Pearse, in 2015 and her brother, Melvin Williams. She is loved and will be missed by her children, Arnold (Debra) Pearse, Penny Kolb, Danny (Nancy) Pearse, Gerri Pearse, and Terri (Paul) Burnell; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild on the way; sister-in-law, Rosemary Williams; and several nieces and nephews.

Shirley's funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 11am at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL with Karen Williams officiating. Visitation will be held from 10am to 11am, with funeral directly following. Burial at Highland Garden of Memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Fairhaven Christian Retirement Home, Salvation Army or Guilford Hope Grange in memory of Shirley.