Dori M. Kearney

ROCKFORD - Dori M. Kearney, age 72, of Rockford passed away peacefully Saturday July 20, 2024 after a brief illness. Born on June 17, 1952 in Los Angeles, CA to Betty Bowling. She settled in Sebastopol, CA and raised two lovely daughters. She was very proud of being one of the first women drivers in California as well as owning her own cleaning company. She said that helping families get organized and well was very important to her. A 4-H horse project leader, she helped to establish a statewide horse show that is still going strong. Dori worked to create new programs for youth and volunteered with at-risk youth giving them opportunities to learn and grow. In 2001 she married Michael Kearney in her beloved redwoods and moved to Rockford. She then fulfilled her dream of going back to college, receiving her AA degree from Rock Valley and BS degree in Sociology from N.I.U. in 2004. While working on her masters she became one of the driving forces and the first manager of JustGoods Fairtrade Store.  While at JustGoods, she founded a national organization of independent fairtrade stores. She saw a need to help people that were disadvantaged and treated unfairly in her community and around the world. Dori went on to become the director of the re-organized Midtown District, working closely with the mayor and other civic leaders. She was very passionate about giving Midtown a fighting chance for a better future development. It was Dori's idea to have an ethnic festival and she was fortunate to find people who shared her vision. Her legacy of building community will live on.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Michael Kearney; children, Erin & Aubury Doherty, Phillip Kearney and Erin Gehrke; grandchildren, Inara & Luna Prieskorn and Howie & Bettie Gehrke; siblings, Vickie Landis, Mickie Eddy and Bill Schulze.

Celebration of Life Memorial held Thursday August 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., Rockford. Christenson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Memorial donations will be given to the Dori Kearney Memorial Fund to support her causes in Rockford, Illinois. https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-memory-of-dori-kearney

www.rockfordfunerals.com