Barbara E Dryden

Barbara “Barb” Ellen Dryden, 74, of Galesburg, died at 1:20 PM, Thursday, February 21, 2013 at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center in Galesburg. Her care has been entrusted to Rux Funeral Home through Watson-Thomas Funeral Home where visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 PM, Sunday, February 24. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, Monday, February 25 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Celebrant will be Rev. Msgr. Ernest Pizzamiglio. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to IHM Catholic Church or the Knox County Humane Society. She was born June 12, 1938 in DeLong, IL, the daughter of Keith and Martha (Steele) Brown. She married Joseph Dryden on November 15, 1985 in Galesburg and he preceded her in death on December 12, 2010, as well as her parents and a brother, Barry Brown. She is survived by her children, Richard "Pete" (Anne) Peterson of Grantham, NH, Ron "Pete" (Dyan) of Galva, Tom Dryden of Canton, MI, Rhonda (Daniel) Rux of Galva, Robin (Bruce) McCance of Galesburg, Amy (Scot) Thompson of Knoxville, IL, Ellen (Dave) McDowell of Wataga, Joan Johnson of Barnett, MO and Kim Elsner of Burtchville, MI, her grandchildren, Justin, Karigan, Adam, Jessica, Zach, Rebekah, Lexy, Shannon, Jeremiah, Tauge, Nik, Tristan, Caleb, Madison, Makayla, Mathew, Greta, Isabella, Ethan and Daniel, a brother Byron "Sonny" Brown, a sister, Betty (Lee) Marks of Abingdon, a sister-in-law, Marty Brown of Knoxville and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Barb graduated from Abingdon High School in 1956. She was in the business office at St. Mary’s Hospital and had retired after 20 years of service. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the OSF St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary. She was an avid shopper who rarely missed the opportunity to hit the sale racks. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments in life. Barb was the heart and soul of the family and always worried about her children and grandchildren. If any of them were having problems, she was often heard to say, “If I could wave a magic wand, I would!” Barb had many close, life-long friends and she enjoyed spending time with them. She looked forward to spending time with her old classmates and attending her Half Century Club Banquet every year. She was a true people person that loved to be out and about shopping or having lunch with her female friends. A deep void will always be in our hearts but knowing that her enduring pain will no longer be a concern to her will help ease the burden of our loss.