Monica Ann McWilliams, 49, of Loves Park, IL, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Swedish American Health. She was born November 22, 1974, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Kenny and Sherry (Watson) Triplett. She graduated from Harlem High School, Class of 1993. She went on to marry her best friend Andrew McWilliams on November 21, 1998. Later, Monica had her only child, Emma McWilliams, and decided to continue her education to set a good example for her daughter. In 2008, Monica graduated from Northern Illinois University with a master’s degree in special education. She began her career teaching in the Rockford Public Schools, later continuing her education and graduating from Concordia University with her master’s in administration. After serving as a vice principal at Riverdahl Elementary, she moved on to working with the Harlem School District at Marquette Elementary School. She was loved by both her colleagues and her students alike. She is survived by a large and loving family, including her husband, Andrew; daughter, Emma (fiancé, Nicholas Salter) McWilliams; parents, Kenny and Sherry Triplett; brother, Nathan (Jen) Triplett; father-in-law, Robert (Peggy) McWilliams; brothers-in-law, Ronald (Shari) McWilliams, Shawn (Andrea) Burns, and Scott (Jacqui) McWilliams; nieces and nephews, Tiffany McWilliams, Shawn McWilliams, Ty McWilliams, Kelsey Triplett, Connor Burns, Alexander Burns, Ava Burns, and Willow Triplett.
Celebration of Life will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 2:30 p.m. to service time. Cremation rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.