Ann Ribando

1943 - 2016

Ann Ribando
PEORIA - Mrs. Ann M. Ribando of Peoria passed away at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016, at her home surrounded by the love of her family after a 9-month battle with ovarian cancer.
Ann was born on Nov. 5, 1943, in Peoria to the late Robert C. and Joan S. (Sprenger) Montgomery. She married Robert "Bob" Cleary on Aug. 7, 1975. He died suddenly on March 21, 1987. She later married Curtis "Curt" P. Ribando on Sept. 1, 2001.
She is survived by her husband, Curt; siblings, Susan "Susie" (John) Carrigan of Colorado Springs, Colo.,Kathleen "Kathy" (Terry) Chambers of Peoria, Patrick "Pat" (Leigh) Montgomery of Denver, Colo.,Christine "Chris" (Joe) McFarlane of Alton, Ill.; step-children, Jason M. (Amy) Ribando of Walnut Creek, Calif., Christopher "Chris" P. (Janka) Ribando of St. Louis, Mo., David "Dave" A. (Mila) Ribando of San Francisco, Calif., Sarah E. (Sridhar) Thangaswamy of Peoria; seven grandchildren and one on the way; 11 nephews and nieces.
Ann attended St. Cecilia's grade school and graduated in 1961 from Academy of Our Lady. She attended Mundelein College, graduating in 1967, and subsequently taught in various grade schools in Memphis, Chicago, and Peoria. At one point she took a break from teaching to study abroad at the University of London. Ann taught English Literature for 10 years at Bergan High School while Bob was both teacher and principal, during which time she obtained a Masters in English.
Having recently completed a graduate program for a Masters in educational administration, Ann accepted a position as principal of St. Thomas Grade School in the spring of 1989. She felt very blessed to have a supportive pastor, an excellent staff and a progressive parent community, many of whom were former high school students. During those 15 years as principal, she devoted herself to the St. Thomas community, providing a consistent, stable, and caring influence on all while allowing St. Thomas to grow and incorporate innovative educational opportunities. Recognizing the diverse needs of children and families in the 1990s, she also completed an MA in counseling. Ann retired from St. Thomas in 2004 with over 30 years in Catholic education. She did not wish to have her awards mentioned, so suffice it to say she has been duly recognized for all of her accomplishments and for her contributions to the education of Peoria's youth.
She and Curt enjoyed traveling, hiking, wilderness canoeing and especially fly-fishing. She was especially attracted to the West and Southwest and found peace and serenity on many a stream with fly rod in hand. Some favorite destinations were Tucson and Sedona, Ariz., Steamboat Springs, Colo., the Green River/Flaming Gorge area in Utah, and Yellowstone National Park. She also greatly enjoyed her time with her siblings, (step) children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
When in Peoria, Ann was drawn to local nature trials and bike paths, loved gardening, and in the evening hours was seldom seen without a book or Kindle in hand. In 2013, she published the book, Breaking Through, the Story of Bob Cleary.
A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Msgr. Jason Gray, Msgr. William Watson, and Father Thomas Taylor will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2016, also at the church. An additional visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Wright & Salmon Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peoria Notre Dame High School (5105 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, Ill., 61614), SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia (205 S Whiting St #205, Alexandria, Va., 22304), St. Thomas Grade School (904 East Lake Avenue, Peoria Heights, Ill., 61616), or Forest Park Nature Center (5809 N Forest Park Dr., Peoria Heights, Ill., 61616).
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com