Therese M. Cordray, 87, of Poplar Grove, died suddenly Friday morning, August 15, 2014 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Therese was born April 18, 1927 in Rockford, IL. Daughter of Prentiss and Kathryn (Madigan) Gillett, Sr. She graduated from Muldoon High School in 1945. Therese married James F. Cordray on September 15, 1956 in Rockford, IL. She and James owned and operated Cordray Bros, where she was a secretary and bookkeeper. Therese was a member of Saint James Catholic Church. She was a Boy Scout leader, Girl Scout leader and bowling coach for many years. Therese was an avid bowler and was inducted into the bowing hall of fame. She was involved with the Catholic Daughters of America, lifelong member of the VFW, the VFW drill team and Ladies Auxillary, Ladies of the Moose. She was a 60 year member of the American Legion. Therese enjoyed working puzzles, loved playing bingo, going to the gambling boat and scratching lottery tickets. She and the family camped at Turtle Lake for many years. She like to roller skate in her younger years, attended a roller skating competition and won many awards. She was a participant on roller skating dance team at ING and Fox Roller Rink.
She is loved and will be missed by her loving husband, James F. Cordray of Poplar Grove, IL; children, Patrick (Sandra) Cordray of Belvidere, Rose Ann (Royal) White of Caledonia, Mary Therese (Bret) Fidder of Poplar Grove, Francis (Karrie) Cordray of Poplar Grove; grandchildren, Chrissy (Patrick) White-Gunn, Brian (Kristie) Fidder, Renee Cordray, Michael Fidder, Mitchell Cordray, Rebecca White; great-grandchild, Chase Fidder; forever loving sister, Rosalie (Robert) Johnson of Loves Park; brother, Francis (Jean) Gillett; sister-in-law, Darlene Gillett of Belvidere. She is preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Prentiss (Betty) Gillett, Jr. and Gordon Gillett. The family would like to extend a special thank you to mom's dear friend, Helen Dennis; Dr. Malaker; nurse, Mel Haskins, and all the staff of Dr. Malaker's office for taking good care of mother.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, August 18, 2014 at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Chapel, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008 with Father Brian Geary officiating. Visitation will be held from 9-10:45 A.M. prior to the service. Burial will take place at Highland Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Poor Clares Corpus Christi, 2111 S. Main St, Rockford, IL 61102. To light a candle or share a condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com