Mary "Cindy" Cynthia McManus

Mary Cynthia “Cindy” McManus, 80, of Rockford, IL and lately Belvidere, IL, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was born March 27, 1945, in Dubuque, Iowa. The daughter of John and Rita (Forrestal) Prochaska, Cindy married Paul Terrence McManus on August 19, 1967, in East Dubuque, IL. She was a teachers’ aide for 35 years in Rockford Public Schools and worked as a dispatcher at the Rockford Register Star for 30 years. She loved spending time with her family, especially her adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed going to lunch with her various friend groups (Washington, Hillman, Jackson), attending an after school “choir practice” (code for drinks with the school staff), reading mysteries on her kindle, or playing scrabble or cards.

She is loved and will be missed by her beloved husband of 58 years, Paul McManus; daughters, Paula (Ken) Jordan, and Cori McManus; grandchildren, Zachary Jordan, Benjamin (Natalie) Jordan, Joshua Jordan, Kayla Jordan; great-grandchildren, Hazelynn and Theodore Jordan; siblings, Theresa (Richard) Phillips, Elaine (Terry) Savola, and William (Susan) Prochaska; and cherished Golden Retriever, Bella. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, J.B. (Sue) Prochaska, Rita Rae (Keith) Roth, Patricia (Gerald) Tanner.

There will be a visitation from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Belvidere Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Belvidere, IL. A funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 P.M. at St. James Catholic Church in Belvidere, IL, also on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Inurnment in St. James Cemtery in Belvidere, IL, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). Condolences may be shared with the family at www.belviderefh.com.