Anne "Gram" Lanier Hedrick

Anne “Gram” Hedrick died on May 9, 2020 in Indianapolis. She is survived by her daughter, Anne “Anita” Lanier Hedrick Caraker and son-in-law, Kevin Caraker, along with her only grandchild, Dylan Riley Caraker and his wife Celeste (Norris), all of Indianapolis. She was also honorary “Gram” to Katie and Brendin Fallis and then Katie’s five children!

Her parents were William John Kehoe and Ina Lanier (Keefe) who lived in Savannah, Georgia when she was born. Anne’s parents and her brother, William John Kehoe II, preceded her in death. Anne was married in January 1957 in Gainesville, Florida to Basil Calvin Hedrick of Moline, Illinois from whom she was divorced in August 1979. He also preceded her in death.

She graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville, Florida. Anne received both her Bachelor’s degree from University of Florida, Gainesville, in Education and her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, which was the first major of its kind in the nation. In college, Anne was prominent in campus activities such as President of Panhellenic Council, Vice President of Sigma Kappa, Florida Union Social Board, Pep Club, Phi Kappa Phi Sweetheart and Greek Week Council. She became very active in Sigma Kappa as that was the sorority house on campus that had air conditioning!

After their wedding, she and Basil moved in 1957 to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where she taught elementary school. Alamogordo installed their first stop light while the couple lived there, prompting instructions on the front page of the local paper so residents could learn how to use the “stop-and-go light!”

They soon moved back to Gainesville, where Anita was born, and moved to Carbondale, Illinois for 4 years. They resided for another 4 years in Fullerton, California where Anne taught Geography for 4th and 6th grade. They eventually settled back in Carbondale, Illinois where Basil went on to become the Director of the University Museum and Dean of International Education at Southern Illinois University. This, much to Anne’s consternation, had her constantly entertaining! Anne was a devoted volunteer and mother, as she was a Girl Scout leader, winning awards for her leadership in the troop and as cookie leader.

During her life, she loved to travel both with family and by herself, taking 2 trips around the world with Basil and insisting that Anita be brought along. She also traveled throughout Europe, went on an African safari, traveling in India by elephant, took a motor boat upstream into the jungle in the Amazon and numerous other adventures. When only 14, she took a true banana boat with her father and brother from New Orleans to Central America, where there were just 2 cabins and the rest of the boat was filled with bananas for the United Fruit Company. She and Basil traveled to various locations (Panama, Nepal, Asia and more) as the two of them wrote historical and cultural dictionaries on several countries.

Anne started at Rhein Travel as a travel agent in Carbondale, becoming part owner of Thunderbird Travel. She helped people find the enjoyment in the new adventures of foreign countries that she had experienced. Anne was active in the organization Business and Professional Women. Following her time at Thunderbird Travel, Anne joined Outreach Neuro Rehab where she counseled and assisted several head-injured young men.

Once she had a grandson, she moved to Indianapolis and volunteered 20 hours a week at his schools, from 1st to 12th grade, becoming a “Gram” to many children! Boy Scout Troop 56 saw her volunteering in many different roles, especially trip planning, for which Anne a natural.

Anne was happily a crazy cat lady and she will long be remembered for the many cats (and cat items) who found love at her house, sometimes 7 at a time!

Alzheimer’s eventually took over and took her life, but she retained her kind personality, wit, and strength throughout this ordeal. The family sincerely appreciates her devoted care teams at Traditions at North Willow and Hooverwood. Some of THE best nursing at Hooverwood came from our friends Shawanna, LaTajia, Stacy, and Helen. Thank you SO much ladies.

Anne will be missed by family and friends. Burial services will be a private family affair at Crown Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held for friends at a later time (post Covid-19).

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a remembrance donation in her name to the foster program and the Indy Humane Shelter (Dylan and Celeste always have a kitty at home that they are fostering!) which can be contacted online at https://tinyurl.com/y7ro5bk2 or a check with “Foster Care” in the memo line may be sent to:

Indy Humane

Foster Care Program

7929 N. Michigan Road

Indianapolis, IN 46268

Another option for a remembrance donation is our Boy Scout Troop 56, which she dearly loved. We would like to help the Scholarship Fund which would help Scouts go to camp and participate in activities that they would otherwise miss. A check made out to “Troop 56” with “Scholarship Fund and Anne Hedrick” in the memo line may be sent to:

Troop 56

c/o Mr. Sandy McNutt

8333 Stafford Lane

Indianapolis, IN 46260