Mary Rae Johnson

Mary Rae Johnson, 82, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. She was born on Thursday, January 6, 1944, in Zion, IL, the daughter of Charles and Rachel (Julian) Hyllberg.

She married Lynn Zaugg on October 15, 2022, in Rockford, IL. They both resided at Fairhaven and remained there together until her passing (and her immediate welcoming into her forever heavenly home).

Most of her adult life, she resided in the Wheaton/Winfield area. Mary was a Rockford resident for almost the past four years. Before retiring, she worked at Central DuPage Hospital for over 35 years as a highly respected and deeply beloved nurse. She also was a nurse at two other hospitals earlier in her career. She went several decades without ever “calling in” sick! She loved being a nurse and worked hard to fulfill this role with integrity. Truly, Mary was the epitome of what being a nurse really means.

She thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors…birdwatching, gardening, and fishing, too! Mary always made time to play cards with friends, to put together puzzles and play Scrabble with family. Later in life, she savored chances to attend some dinner plays and even was invited to go on a couple cruises. No matter the scope of these, she was equally thrilled sharing their delights. No matter the scope of the event, she considered every activity with others a genuine privilege. She was just as content in simple pleasures as well as unique opportunities.

Looking back, you might have seen her sipping on “grandma tea” with a Fanny Mae Chocolate (cut into four pieces) or even attending somewhat grand events with others. Finding goodness in every moment was her gift to us all!

Over the course of her lifetime, she welcomed hundreds upon hundreds of people into her home! She was seen as “the hostess with the most-ess” by her precious family, life-long friends, as well as new acquaintances. She was vested in volunteer work, both tangibly seen, as well as much service done in selfless anonymity. Involvement in church and its activities were both her priority and great pleasure.

Everyone a part of her life saw her as literally, “the absolute best”…(in each role she shined into their world)!

Mary Rae, Aunt and Grandma Mary, and Mom, will be sorely missed by each soul that knew her. She has left quite a legacy for all who merely hear the stories of her humble but utterly dynamic life!

Survivors include her husband, Lynn Zaugg; her daughters, Laura (Tim) Rathburn and Karla (Joel) Willitts; and grandchildren, Karen Matkovich, Mary Willitts, and Zion Willitts. She was predeceased by her parents; and first husband, Tom Johnson.

A Celebration of (her INCREDIBLE) Life Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, 3470 North Alpine Road, Rockford, IL. Cremation rites accorded. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is in the process of being set-up for the organization, “The Voice of the Martyrs.”