Every design, on a real program.

In Loving Memory of

Obituary

Margaret Ann Foley, 84, of Beloit, Wisconsin, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with her children beside her.

Margaret was born on June 12, 1941 in Rockford, Illinois, the second of four children of Thomas and Alice Kearney. She graduated from Rockford East High School in 1959 and from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 1963, where she met Edward Foley at a dance she had not wanted to attend. They married the following spring and were together for fifty-six years.

Margaret spent twenty-nine years as the librarian at Beloit Memorial High School. Generations of students knew her as the person who found them the book they did not know they were looking for. She sang in the choir at St. Brigid for thirty years and volunteered at the Caritas food pantry every Thursday morning.

At home she grew tomatoes she could never give away fast enough, worked the crossword in ink, and kept a standing Sunday phone call with each of her children.

Survived By

Daniel Foley (Sara), of Madison

Kathleen Ruiz (Miguel), of Chicago

Grandchildren: Anna, Thomas, Elena, Jack and Rosa

Her sister, Ruth Kearney, of Rockford

Preceded in Death By

Her husband, Edward Foley

Her parents, Thomas and Alice Kearney

Her brothers, Thomas and Patrick Kearney

Order of Service

Christina Rossetti

Pallbearers

Daniel Foley

Miguel Ruiz

Thomas Foley

Jack Ruiz

Peter Kearney

Andrew Kearney

Honorary Pallbearers

The St. Brigid Choir

The Caritas Thursday Volunteers

Acknowledgement

The family of Margaret Foley wishes to thank you for the many kindnesses shown to us: the cards, the meals left at the door, the phone calls, and your presence here today. Your love has carried us through these difficult days, and we are grateful beyond words.

Arrangements entrusted to Hollister-Brandt Funeral Home.