Catherine McGough

Cathy McGough
June 6, 1938 - October 21, 2026 (Age 88)
Cathy McGough went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Matte Catherine Porter was born in Strawberry, Arkansas on June 6, 1938, to Arden and Edith (Smithey) Porter. She moved with her parents and siblings to Rockford, Illinois in the early 1950s. She worked at Amerock in Rockford before becoming a full-time home maker in 1962. She married Frank McGough on August 18, 1956. They were married for over 52 years before Frank's death on May 18, 2009. Cathy gave birth to their first child, Rick on October 16, 1958, and to their second child, Cynthia on November 29, 1973.

Cathy was talented athletically, especially in bowling, ping pong, roller skating and water skiing. She enjoyed growing flowers, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and developing various collections through garage sales. She spent most of her time caring for her family throughout her life, excelling in cooking, housekeeping, meticulously caring for the family's clothes, taking her kids where they needed to go, and later, caring for grandkids. Cathy always made Christmas a special time for her family, with games and surprises, elegantly wrapped presents, and great meals. Cathy was an incredible financial bookkeeper. She kept journals, documenting pretty much every penny spent from 1956 through 2025 when she finally reached a place where she could no longer keep up with this task. In summary, her life was centered on her commitment to her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family.

Cathy grew up in a Christian home and then made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ in her mid 20s. Her faith in Christ and her commitment to His Word defined who she was. She enjoyed reading and studying the Bible.

Cathy is survived by her children Rick McGough and his wife Val, Cynthia Thomas and her husband Shane, grandchildren Mark McGough, Tim McGough and his wife Rachel, Stephen McGough and his wife Kaitlyn, Jeremiah Thomas and his wife Kaytlin, Shannon Rodriquez and her husband Brandon, numerous great grandchildren, her sisters Linda Dobbs and Debbie Lee, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Frank, and her sister Shirley Dial.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL. Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Willwood Cemetery in Rockford.