Rockford honors dedicated volunteer Vicki Donnell with 2025 Fourth of July parade

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The 2025 Rockford 4th of July parade is dedicated in honor of Vicki Donnell, a volunteer and committee member who loved the parade as much as she loved life.

Sadly, she lost her life in October.

This July 4th, her husband and daughter are celebrating her spirit and sharing what made her so special.

“She loved it. She was a parade marshal. Kayla and Vicki were always parade marshals,” said Vicki’s husband, Keith.

Vicki was a long-time member of the Fourth of July Civic Committee. She got involved when her daughter, Kayla, started volunteering.

She worked alongside her family, embracing her part and always ready to work, no matter what, including a Fourth of July when it rained.

“The parade was late starting because there was a storm that drenched everything,” Keith recalled. “She brought her rain poncho. She was ready. She was ready for all occasions. She was prepared.”

This year, the committee wanted to celebrate her life after she died from pancreatic cancer. She was first diagnosed in 2021, and called a family meeting to share the news.

“She told everybody at the same time,” Keith remembers. “It hit me like a ton of bricks.”

She was given 3 to 6 months to live, but fought for 3 years.

Kayla said it was a true indication of just how strong her mother was.

“I mean. She’s a fighter. That’s all she was. She wasn’t going down easy without a fight. She’s stubborn but like in a fun way,” she said.

Vicki’s idea of fun was spending time with her family.

“Last Fourth of July, she was ready to go,” Keith said.

Her family said she deserved the honor of the parade dedication, simply because she loved it so much.

“She loved the fireworks. She would lie down on the ground and watch the fireworks,” Keith said.

Kayla added, “She always said she could feel it in her chest, the pounding in her chest. S,o just got out there with family and have fun with family. That’s what it’s for.”

And, just like the fireworks she adored so much, her family said Vicki burned ever so brightly for as long as she could.