Peggy Hanson

Peggy Lynn Hanson, 79, of Belvidere passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2019, in her home, surrounded by her family. Heaven has gained a very special angel. Born November 7, 1939, in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of Herbert L. and Helen (Robinson) Hetrick. She moved to Rockford where she met her husband, Richard E. Hanson, at Ingersoll Milling Machine. They were married on February 16, 1963, in Ottawa. They have three children. After her son, Scott, was born in 1968 with down syndrome, her life took a new direction and purpose. She founded Parent Helpers so other new parents of down syndrome babies could speak with other parents and be given a positive and uplifting expectation of life with a special needs’ child. Peggy fought for daycare in the school system and helped find funding for the Boone County Center in Belvidere. As a visionary and leader, she was co-founder of Milestone Inc. She saw a need in the community for housing options for special need adults in the greater Rockford area. In 1971, Milestone started with one building in Rockford that housed eight residents and as of today, they now service 320 residents. She was the longest founding board member at Milestone and was honored with a plaque renaming the corporate offices, industries and the bingo hall to Peggy Hanson Campus in June 2019. Along with Milestone, she volunteered her time and fundraising skills to the Northern Illinois Hospice organization since 1997. It was fitting that the same organization cared for Peggy at the end of her life. Survivors include her husband, Richard; children, Brenda (Steve) Celardo, Scott Hanson and Jennifer Peterson; sister, Jo (Heob) Hall; grandchildren, Jordan Peterson, Matthew Celardo and Jacob Peterson; nieces and nephews, Stacy (Bill) Sale, Kristin Highton, Jef (Karin) Hetrick, Greg Hetrick and Christianne Strang; cousin, Cheri (Gene) Donna. Predeceased by her parents; brother, Herb Hetrick; numerous aunts and uncles; and mother-in-law, Myrtle Hanson.

Service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2019, at Riverside Community Church, 6816 North 2nd Street; Bobby Sheets will officiate. Private family burial in Highland Gardens. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 31, 2019, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Milestone Inc. (www.milestone-inc-il.org) and Northern Illinois Hospice (www.northernillinoishospice.org).