Amy Louise Lundeen

1964 - 2021

AMY LOUISE LUNDEEN
Born: June 30, 1964
Died: September 10, 2021
Amy Lundeen of Glendale, AZ passed away on Friday, September 10, 2021. The world lost an angel and heaven gained one that day.
Amy was born on June 30, 1964, in DeKalb, IL to Richard (1928 to 1987) and Esther (Ewers) Lundeen (1927 to 2008). She was the youngest of three daughters and until 2018, Amy lived in DeKalb County, raising her three beloved sons with her ex-husband John Rodriguez.
Amy was soft spoken, calming and she projected a sense of acceptance and love for all creatures and people she encountered. Animals and people alike were drawn to her.
Without hesitation, Amy would run to any animal in need of rescuing, nurturing, fostering, or training. When you visited Amy's home you were met by a menagerie of rescued and adopted dogs, lizards, turtles and even a tarantula named "Rosie".
She also loved children with special needs. Amy taught and advocated for special needs children in the Sycamore, Sandwich and Ogle County school districts from 1997 to 2014 and then at the Northwest Center for Autism for the 2017 to 2018 school year.
Taking a respite from teaching, Amy found another way to serve through volunteer work at TAILS Humane Society in DeKalb and as a private dog trainer, foster-home provider, and pet-sitter from 2014 to 2017. She also enjoyed her work at Mid-Day Play, a dog day care in Sandwich, IL during this time.
Of course, Amy's greatest source of pride was her three sons: Daniel (Sarah Leoni Rodriguez) of San Tan Valley, AZ, Alexander (Adrienne Benson) of Chicago IL, and David of Normal, IL. Amy's athleticism in her youth helped to prepare her to be a mom of these three very active boys. Amy would often say that she'd rather be at her sons' baseball, soccer, or basketball games than in the kitchen any day! She expressed so much pride in the wonderful men that they have become.
In 2017, Amy met her partner Heather Turner, who is also a teacher of children with autism. Amy accepted Heather's marriage proposal on the rim of the Grand Canyon over a Christmas Holiday that same year. They realized their dream of a move to Arizona in 2018 and appreciated the blessing of having a partner who shared a passion for special children.
Amy and her two sisters took delight in being part of a large extended family in the Midwest of 20 Aunts and Uncles and over 30 cousins. All three girls worked in the corn fields for DeKalb Ag in the summertime as teenagers. Over the years, they often reminisced about the happy times with family and in the fields.
Amy's sister Sarah Ray (Bernie) lives in DeKalb. Her daughter (Janell) and four sons (Lucas, Wesley, Bobby and Sammy) were adored by Amy who loved watching them grow up with her sons. Amy and Sarah supported each other while raising their kids and in caring for their mother and stepfather before their deaths.
Amy's other sister, Laura Wright (Jim 1958 to 2004), lives in Scottsdale, AZ and has been thrilled to have Amy in Arizona for the last three years. Amy enjoyed visiting Laura in the different places that she's lived throughout the country and would often join Laura on trips to exciting places.
Amy was a graduate of DeKalb High School's class of 1982 and earned a bachelor's degree in 1988 from Illinois State University, studying Special Education. She also completed many hours of graduate level courses.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ Church, 615 N. First Street, DeKalb, IL.
In lieu of flowers, Amy's family asks family and friends to make a contribution in Amy's name to either of these two organizations below, whose advocacy for animals and autistic children are in keeping with Amy's life work and passions.
TAILS HUMANE SOCIETY
www.tailshumanesociety.org
*In the "Comment" box, please indicate that the donation is made in Amy's name
AUTISM SPEAKS
www.Autismspeaks.org
*Click on "Get Involved" then "Memorial & Tributes" then "Give in Honor or Memory" and type in Amy's name.