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Barbara Ankney Obituary
WASHBURN - Barbara Anne Ankney, age 72, of Washburn passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, at St. Joseph Nursing Home in Lacon, Ill.
Barbara suffered from early onset Alzheimer's disease for the last six years of her life.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Barry of Washburn, Ill.; her son, Jonathan (Lynn), of Chicago, Ill.; and her grandchildren, Ethan and Elise of Chicago.
Barbara was born on March 19, 1943, in Chicago, Ill., to parents Stanley and Anne Janettas Polick.
She graduated from Illinois State University in 1965 with a degree in elementary education, and from Bradley University with a master's degree in educational administration in 1970. She worked for over 30 years as an educator, teaching grade levels ranging from kindergarten to college.
Barbara's family will fondly remember her as an excellent cook, baker and canner. She enjoyed many crafts throughout the years, including needlepoint and basket weaving, and she was a passionate reader. She enjoyed travel, especially to Ireland, the Caribbean and to Manhattan, where she and Barry attended numerous plays and musicals.
Cremation rites have been accorded and there will be private family services at a later date.
Donations in Barbara's memory can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association at http://tinyurl.com/pxrgxyx or P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Ankney
Sponsored by Lenz Memorial Home - Lacon.
David Dill
January 14, 2016
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Ankney's passing. She was my favorite teacher at Northmoor grade school ('68-'77). I was a troubled kid and she was always there for her students. I straightened out my life, finished college at the age of 47, and teach English now. Thank you, Mrs. Ankney, for your positive and caring influence on my life.
David J. Dill
Sister Mary Dries
January 9, 2016
Dear Barry,
I read your dear wife's obituary on the Journal Star's website, and want you to know that you have my sincere sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sister Mary (Dries)
Maria Geiger
January 9, 2016
Barb's Family have our deepest condolences. My mother was also at St. Joseph's Nursing Home, and I always liked seeing Barb at the meal hours. She always had a serene, peaceful smile. You all are in my prayers.
Maria and Tom Geiger
Chillicothe, IL
Butch Koenig
January 6, 2016
Mrs. Ankney was one of my favorite teachers at Northmoor Grade School. She was really a wonderful teacher and person. I am so sorry for your loss.
Lynne Dibadj
January 5, 2016
so sorry to hear about Barbs passing. I know she is in a better place, with her smile she already has a lot of friends on Heaven. I loved talking with her, she always made my day better. Lynne Dibadj
January 5, 2016
I have so many great memories of her from Northmoor Elementary School. Her inspiration and influence in so many young lives is her legacy and she will always be with you through the lives she touched.
January 5, 2016
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was my teacher at Northmoor. She inspired me to be a teacher.
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