Mercedes Shippert

03/15/1975 - 12/06/2022

Final days with my sister Mercy...

Mercy was surrounded by friends, coworkers, and her dysfunctional family the entire time I was visiting. Her home was chaotic, people were in and out of her house the entire day. Mercy's sisters and her children were at each others throats. Everyone was an expert on how to deal with a dying loved one. Arguing and crying were common themes.

My observations: Having visitors all day every day is a wonderful thing. People loved Mercy! Dying alone is far worse than having too many visitors. Mercy loved her friends!

Christa sleeping in the same bed as her, Jessie nervously reading a book; refusing to leave her side, Sarah posting "her final happy moments" on social media, Patrick kissing her forehead/putting his hand on her back moments after she vomited. Mary trying to run the entire operation, Mother planning her funeral/visitation and father sitting in her living room for hours at a time out of his depth. Mercy loved her family!

In her bedroom praying the rosary/chaplet (with sisters and daughters) her three dogs were with her. How loyal her dogs were in her last days. Those dogs would not leave her side, they knew she was dying and wanted to comfort her. Mercy loved dogs!

Mercy no longer cared about worldly things. She had no interest in the news, TV shows, gossip, food, or the elections. Mercy was never materialistic; her most treasured possessions were books. Hardly able to speak/walk she went over each book in her library, giving a little history of the book, and whom she wanted it to go to. Cancer was destroying her and yet she wanted to make sure her books would find a good home. Mercy loved books!

Mercy wanted me to have pictures she had taken of us together from her travels. She loved to explore foreign countries and visit various parts of America. She loved to visit places she read about in her books. In my last days with her, she enjoyed talking about her travels. Even as death approached traveling was still close to her heart. Mercy loved to travel!

Mercy's children and grandchildren were with her every day I was home. Mercy's biggest concern at the end was the future of her children and grandchildren. Until the very end, her kids and grandkids were there by her side giving her comfort. Mercy loved her children!

My sister, Mercy's life can be summed up in a mere seven words: Friends, family, dogs, books, travels, children, and God.

Mercedes was born to John and Nora (Feeney) Shippert in Freeport, IL, on March 15, 1975. Mercedes, known as Mercy, worked at FHN Hospital for 24 years, and in the Emergency Room for the last 17 years. Mercedes was a hard worker and a loyal employee. She always went above and beyond to be kind and caring to her patients and co-workers. She was loved by everyone that knew her at FHN. She will be remembered as the prayer warrior that would go to the chapel and pray during her lunch breaks. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with her and she dearly loved her ER co-workers - her beloved work family.

Mercy is survived by her 3 children: Deedra, Xavier, and Emma Shippert; and 4 grandchildren. She is also survived by her parents John and Nora, and her 9 siblings: Sarah Fowler, Mary (Chris) Loring, Christa (Kyle) Nott, Luke (Luda) Shippert, Patrick (Whitney) Shippert, Jacinta Shippert, Morgan Shippert, Michael (Carrie) Shippert, and Maria (Jake) Twining. Mercy is also survived by her 25 nieces and nephews, and her 3 beloved little dogs.

Mercy's family wants to thank Dr. Mark Albertini and his entire staff at U.W. Carbone Cancer Center, doctors and staff at FHN, her beloved ER family, and the entire Freeport community who showed so much love in the last year and a half.

A memorial will be established for "Mercy's Bench" at Bidwell Park. Any additional memorial money will go to the Freeport Animal Hospital for supplies.

A visitation will be held on Thursday December 8, 2022, from 4PM-7PM, with prayer service following at 7PM, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport, IL. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday December 9, 2022 at 10:30 AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 229 W. Washington Pl, in Freeport, IL.

Interment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.