Obituary

Phoebe "Penny" Jenny Kurzrock 1935—2021
Phoebe "Penny" Jenny Kurzrock, 86, Rockford, passed away peacefully Friday, April 2, 2021, in her home. She was born January 21, 1935, in Rockford, the daughter of Bernard and Julia (Johnson) Varvayn. Penny married John "Jack" Kurzrock in Rockford on June 24, 1956. He passed away in Rockford on January 15, 2016.
A soprano vocalist, Phoebe studied opera and choral music. She ministered in music as choir director, developed and performed musical community programs, wrote music, was a vocal instructor and piano teacher in Buffalo, New York, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Rockford. She also taught music for public school districts in the referenced cities and was active in her local church and various philanthropic and social organizations.
Survived by her daughter, Victoria A. Albanese of Highland Park; her granddaughter, Julia M. Albanese; her sister, Ingrid H. Peters; her nieces Christina Peters and Karla Dowd; her nephews, Keith, Craig, and Chris Kurzrock; several great-nieces and great-nephews; her cousin, Maurey Anderson, 97, and many other cousins once removed and second cousins. Predeceased by her husband, Jack, her parents, her son, Ronald, her infant son, John Bernard, and her cousins, Richard T. and Donna Anderson, Roger and Marion L. Olson, Donald and Kathryn Mathison, Roy and Beatrice Challberg.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Monday, April 12, 2021, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St. with Reverend Scott Stolberg officiating. Services will be zoomed with meeting ID 821 9222 4277 and passcode 123. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. on Monday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Face masks are required and social distancing rules will be followed at both locations. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M. in Scandinavian Cemetery on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Memorials may be made to Rock River Pantry, 421 S. Rockton Av Rockford, IL 61102, or Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (family support services), 7001 E. Touhy Av. Suite 50, Des Plaines, Il 60018, or ELCA Church Wide Ministries, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631. Share online condolences at