Rebecca (Lillich) Roderick

Rebecca Roderick was born 11/27/1951 in York, NE to Melvin and Arlene Lillich. She received her undergrad degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, in 1973. In 1975, she received her M.Ed. from the University of IL Champaign-Urbana. Rebecca started teaching in 1976 and spent 36.5 years working for the Rock Island School District. She worked as a special education teacher for children with special needs in the Early Development Rooms for 3–6 year olds.

Rebecca married Brian Roderick on November 13th, 1976 in the Augustana College chapel. They were blessed with three children she dearly loved. She appreciated nature and the outdoors. As she retired, Rebecca trained as a Master Gardener for Rock Island County. Rebecca enjoyed her acreage in Taylor Ridge and spent many hours planting and taking care of the yard. Retirement also brought the opportunity to spend winters in Florida. She enjoyed playing pickleball and was a member of the QC Pickleball Club. In FL she belonged to the Audubon Society and enjoyed learning about FL birds and plants. Visiting her children and grandchildren was a special joy.  Rebecca loved traveling with family in her younger days to see the National Parks.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Brian Roderick, children Matt Roderick (Emily), Tim Roderick (Jennifer), and Jennifer Collins (Tucker), grandsons Noah and Jackson, granddaughters Harlow and Aurora, siblings, David Lillich (MaryAnn), Pat Madsen (Steve}, and Ron Lillich (Monica) and sister-in-law, Judy Delaney.

Her body will be cremated and there will be no visitation. Her family will host a graveside celebration of life later this spring when her ashes are buried at Chippiannock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent The University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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