Ann Adelle Downing Coordination Page

 

Video Tribute (this is the full MP4 file and is large)

Same Video Tribute (this is on YouTube and is easier to get, but has ads)

(background music is Ann’s Senior Recital at Capital University, recorded in Mees Hall, March 20, 1958)

 

Ann Adelle Downing of Woodstock, Illinois passed away peacefully in her home on September 29th, 2021, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She brought friendship, humor, caring, and music to everyone she knew. She was surrounded by family and the singing of hymns as she transitioned to her heavenly life just before her 85th birthday, which would have been October 11th.

Ann was born in 1936 in Richmond, Indiana to Charles Edward and Edith (Hoffman) Kaeuper in a tight-knit, fun-loving German Lutheran extended family and community. She graduated from Capital University, majoring in Music Education with a minor in piano performance. She met the love of her life, Charles Edwin Downing, while serving as the piano accompanist for a community-choir performance of Handel’s Messiah, in which Chuck was singing. On August 29th, 1959, she and Chuck married in Richmond. After three years in Connecticut, Ann and her family lived for 27 years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she taught piano and helped raise a loving family. She volunteered and taught Sunday school at Zion Lutheran Church.

In 1991, Ann and Chuck moved to Onsted, Michigan. Their home was by a small lake, Loch Erin, which children, friends, and eventually grandchildren also enjoyed. Ann was a member of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church. She also loved playing piano as an  accompanist for instrumental music students at Sienna Heights College, and sang with Chuck in the Lenawee Community Chorus.

Ann lost her beloved husband in 2009, two weeks before their 50th wedding anniversary. Ann stayed in their home at the Michigan lake as long as she could, but she felt it was just never the same. Three years later, she decided to move to Woodstock, Illinois to be closer to her children.

Ann became a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in McHenry, Illinois, and continued to be a lifeline for many who found counsel and connection in her storytelling, listening, and caring. Ann was always a phone call away for anyone who needed advice or just wanted to talk (or listen!!!). She found her personal strength in her music—particularly the grand piano that she and Chuck owned—as well as her family and her faith. Ann was extraordinarily dedicated to her parents, husband, children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, friends’ children, friends’ grandchildren…. She remembered everyone’s birthdays and always sent cards! It is impossible to adequately describe the compassion and love that she showed us all. There will never be another Ann Adelle, Ann, Mrs. Downing, Mom, Aunt Dello, Grandma.

     Ann is survived by one daughter, Allison Ann Downing (Mary Rapp) of Evanston, Illinois; two sons, Charles Edward (Susan) Downing of St. Charles, Illinois, and David Jonathan (Katherine) Downing of Spring Grove, Illinois; one brother, Richard (Meg) Kaeuper of Rochester, New York; six nephews, and four grandchildren: Katlyn Elizabeth, Charles Edwin, Matthew David, and Ryan Scott Downing.

Funeral services will be held with immediate family on Saturday, October 23rd at 2 pm Central Time (3:00 p.m. EST). Pastor Stan Lillich, husband of Ann’s dear cousin Jan, will deliver the homily. The service will be streamed for anyone who would like to be “present” virtually. We will feel the support of all of you with us!

Type http://www.ChuckDowning.com/Mom into your browser to open a page where you will find:

1. a link to the streaming of the funeral services (Saturday, October 23rd at 2 pm CST)

2. links to send memorial contributions, either to the American Cancer Society or to the McHenry County Senior Care Volunteer Network (SCVN) in the name of their Transportation Services, whose volunteer drivers took Ann to chemotherapy infusions at McHenry Hospital without any monetary charge 272 times from 2018 to 2020.

Two people smiling

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The funeral service was held virtually on October 23 and you can see the recording here:

·         Recording of funeral service

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following two organizations in Ann’s name:

·         American Cancer Society mosaic

 

·         McHenry County Senior Care Volunteer Network

 

(Senior Care Volunteer Network (SCVN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization who is devoted to making a difference in McHenry County. We are a volunteer program, providing necessary and no-cost services that benefit the seniors of our county and their families. We are proud that our services truly bring value to all community members as we support our care receivers’ independence, build new relationships, and reduce family burden and their lost time and wages.)