Ann Aldrich

Ann was born in Pawnee on April 3, 1945, the daughter of the late James Richard and Ruth Ann (White) Cashen. She married Gerald “Gerry” Aldrich on June 8, 1973, in Springfield.

Ann graduated from Pawnee High School, attended the University of Illinois for one year, as well as Lincoln Land Community College earning an associate degree. She was a member of Laurel United Methodist Church for over 35 years.

The members of her high school class have been meeting regularly since graduation and Ann had a close relationship with Karen, Bonnie, Judy, and Ludy.

We met at the Midway Pub. If anyone asked how we met, she would always say she found me in the peanut shells there. Actually, I was in the pub drinking a beer and Ann came in, sat down, and started drinking it. When confronted, Ann explained that she had enough money for the babysitter with nothing left for a drink. I bought her a beer and we started talking, and as we were leaving, I asked for her name and phone number. She responded by saying her name was “Ann Sweetheart,” thinking I wouldn’t be calling. When I called and asked for Ann Sweetheart, she confessed the truth and we set up our first date. On our first date, I bought a package of ding dongs for the kids, gave them a couple, and hid the rest. Upon returning home, the ding dongs were gone. A lesson was learned about kids.

Ann worked for Central Illinois Builders of AGC and then worked for Sangamon State University for 25 years retiring in 2005. For the last ten years, she worked in the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program. Ann enjoyed the work and enjoyed working with the people there. Part of her job was to travel to universities and colleges in Illinois to recruit graduates for the program. This job also required her to work the months of September through May with half-time hours which made it possible for her to be off when the kids were out of school. A part-time summer job allowed her to be a trip leader for high school students on their senior trips, which she liked, as well. These two traveling opportunities made her realize she wanted to see more of the world and a love of travel resulted.

Before the kids left home, we had a Dodge van and a Hobie 16 sailboat. We sailed the Hobie on Lake Springfield and Lake Carlyle. We had fun sailing, camping, and traveling with the van. We made about every mistake that could be made while sailing, managing to survive, and have fun.

When the kids left home, Ann knew the hours I would be working during tax season and didn’t want to be sitting around the house reading a book although she did like to read. Ann got involved in quilting, making many quilts for home, family, and friends while making many new friends. Her quilts will be her legacy. She joined the Ski Club, learned to downhill ski, and traveled to ski resorts in the U.S. and Europe. Ann also traveled at different times with friends, Patsy, Dixie, Susie, and her sister to the UK, Ireland, Europe, and Canada. I was okay with all her extracurricular travel activity, as I would have a tour guide when I retired. Once I retired, I joined the Ski Club and we traveled to ski resorts in the U.S. and Europe, with a river cruise to the Netherlands and Belgium in springtime to see the beautiful Keukenhof Garden in full bloom. We also took dancing lessons in West Coast swing, ballroom and line dancing.

Ann was dedicated to her family. She cared for me while we were dating when I was sick for a month with the flu. Ann cared for her mother when she was in a nursing home, making sure she was getting good care. Ann did the same for her uncle, Carl before he passed away. Ann was a proud grandma to Zach and Drew, babysitting for them when they were young, taking them on camping trips, attending all their activities, and making lifelong memories with them.

I was very lucky to have been found in those peanut shells at the Midway Pub by a beautiful woman who was the love of my life, my best friend, social director, and loving companion. Ann will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ronnie Cashen.

Ann is survived by her husband, Gerry; sons, M. Kip (Andrea Lee) Leverton of Springfield and Christopher Alan Leverton of Veneta, OR; grandchildren, Zachary Dean (Leanna) Leverton and Andrew James Leverton, both of Champaign; brother, Timothy H. Cashen of Circleville, OH; sister, Mary Hirschfeld of Champaign; nieces and nephews, Kathleen Ann (Timothy) Calvert, Brian Cashen, Richard Cashen, Christine Cashen, and Carl Cashen; and great-nieces and nephews, Sean Cashen, Mitchell Buchanan, Kaitlin Ann (Timothy) Simonelli, and Emily Ann Calvert.

Private family interment will be held. A public celebration of Ann’s life will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Processing Center, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

The family is being served by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave. West, Springfield.