Sandy J. McCann

Sandy J. McCann, 87, passed away in her home in Rockford, Illinois on January 28, 2026. She was born on January 15, 1939, daughter to Harvey and Edna O’Neil. Harvey enjoyed giving their kids special nicknames, so growing up Sandy was affectionally known as "Sonny" through high school. She would go on to graduate from Rockford College with a bachelor's degree in business and spent most of her working career at Rockford Memorial Hospital, retiring as their special projects manager. Through that time the hospital staff became like family to her, as well as her own family as her children started working there. After retirement, she took on another leadership role, as well as more people that became like family- her fellow H.O.A. board members. Sandy was one of those people who wholeheartedly committed to something once she was involved. She was a longtime parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church, a member of Holy Family’s woman’s group, and loved to help any organizations she believed in. Sandy had a special soul; she connected deeply with those she loved, like her children and grandchildren, but even that connection wouldn’t save them from her wrath in cribbage. She was a master bridge player and enjoyed the community competitions with other master players, and she recently started trying her hand in mahjong. At home, Sandy enjoyed researching her family’s genealogy, and expressing her artistic gifts through whichever medium caught her fancy.

She will be sorely missed by those who loved her most, her son Todd McCann; granddaughter Megan Dudley, her husband Stone Dudley, and grandson Colin McCann. Sandy is also survived by Todd’s father Michael. She is predeceased by her daughter, Dawn; parents Harvey and Edna; her brother James O’Neil and his son Erin O’Neil.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral Mass, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107. Burial to follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Holy Family Catholic Church. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com