Margaret (Peg) McElroy Hendrickson

December 15, 1938 - October 12, 2026

Margaret (Peg) McElroy Hendrickson, 87, of Freeport, Illinois passed away Monday, October 12, 2026, at WinnPrairie, surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers. Peg was born December 15, 1938, in Kewanee, Illinois, to Margaret and Robert Maple. After graduation from Kewanee High School, Peg lived in Peoria, Illinois, until her marriage to Gerald A. McElroy Jr, on August 8, 1959, when they moved to Freeport, Illinois. Peg and Gerry made Freeport their lifelong home where they raised their daughters Leslie, Amy, and Emily. Peg worked at various secretarial and bookkeeping positions in Freeport, including the Holiday Inn, Freeport Housing Authority and the United Way of Northwest Illinois. Peg and Gerry found a spiritual home in St. Thomas Parish. Starting in their early dating years, she and Gerry loved dancing. They regularly attended the Bix Jazz Festival. Later, they enjoyed weekends at their Chicago apartment.

After Gerry’s death in 1997, Peg showed resilience by immersing herself in volunteer work at Freeport Memorial Hospital, Voices Book Nook and winters in Indian Shores, FL.

Peg married Robert Hendrickson on March 8, 2010, in Ocala, Florida. Peg and Bob continued the Florida trend and immersed themselves in the snowbird community in Destin until Bob’s death in 2022. Family and faith were most important to Bob and Peg.

Peg felt passionately about civil rights, income equality, and standing up against domestic violence. From freedom marches in the 1960s, mentoring single mothers in the 1980s and standing solidly behind her family and friends, she gave generously of her time and passion. It was not uncommon for Peg to share her home and dinner table with those who were alone on holidays. She was known for her lifelong friendships. Her interests included playing golf and cards, reading and traveling, and going to casinos with friends. She leaves behind many lamps.

Over the last few years, Peg gained an additional family when she moved to WinnPrairie. The staff became her adopted sons and daughters and she cherished them as deeply as if they were her own. Wilson, their therapy dog, held a special place in her heart and brought her joy

until her passing.

Peg is survived by three daughters – Leslie (Jeff) Mastroianni of Rockford, IL, Amy (John) Krukowski, of Elmhurst, IL, and Emily McElroy, of Madison, WI, and five grandchildren: Luke (Kim) Beggin, Zachary (Billie) Beggin, Joe Mastroianni, and Nora and Simon Krukowski. Peg’s legacy continues with five great granddaughters: Grace, Elise, Lauren, Isla and Finley Beggin, and granddog, Banjo. She is also survived by stepsons Rob (Jane) Hendrickson, Barrie (Terri) Hendrickson, Chris Hendrickson; and stepdaughters Amy Hendrickson and Jennifer (Lisa) Hendrickson, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, first husband, Gerry, her second husband, Bob, her son, Robert John, and her sister, Sue.

Funeral services will be held November 10, 2026, at 10:30 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church with a visitation preceding the mass at 9:30 am. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Freeport, Illinois. Memorials have been established for St Thomas Aquinas Church and the Highland Community College Foundation.

Bob had a saying that Peg kept near to her: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”