[Dialogue] Audrey Ayres

Tue May 27 09:25:59 EDT 2008

There was no limit to the adventures of Saint Audrey.  I had the privilege of spending most of a quarter (remember?  that was once three months) with Audrey doing town meeting circuits here in Iowa.  WE matched upwith Kit Krauss in Des Moines, and I could tell stories for hours about that great campaign.  When Audrey could no longer traverse the space between home and 5th City and Kemper safely, family made arrangements for her to spend two or three days exclusively at Kemper.  In addition to work on the archives, she worked to care for the space around the parking lot, both when in was outside the fence and when it was reconstructed to be inside the fence.
    At the time of the dedication of the new parking lot, we presented Audrey with a brick engraved with her name in celebration of her many efforts to care for that space.  One day while she was out working on the space around the lot, two small boys passed her buy and then stopped to have an argument.  They came back to Audrey and asked her if she was doing community service?  Of course, she responded in the affirmative.  The boys moved off again, but were in an even bigger argument before they got to the corner.  They finally came back to ask her, "What did you do?"  Simply by sharing an image that you could choose to do community service (it didn't have to be court ordered), that you could joyfully volunteer (it didn't have to be punishment), undoubtedly change the lives of both of those young boys forever.
    Through my tears, I celebrate the joy that having Audrey in my life has been and will move forward relying on the promise of comfort for those who mourn.  We have been and are blessed, Margaret
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Alton 
  To: Order Ecumenical ; earthrise earthrise ; Dialogue Wedgeblade 
  Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 11:38 AM
  Subject: [Oe List ...] Audret Ayres

  From Carol Pierce:

  Audrey M. Ayres, (nee Grossmann) age 85, died May 21, 2008 at Westbury Care Center in Lisle, Illinois.  She was born December 21, 1022 in St. Louis, Missouri.  Mrs. Ayres was a graduate of Kirksville State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri, where she majored in Music.  A resident of Naperville since 1952, she was active in Wesley United Methodist Church where she directed the children’s choir for several years.

  Mrs. Ayres was active in the Ecumenical Institute (EI) and its sister organization, the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) for over 33 years as an enthusiastic volunteer and consultant.  She also served as the Secretary of the Joint Board of Directors, a position she held for over a decade.  EI and the ICA are well known as non-profit organizations devoted to work in community renewal in underprivileged communities with a focus on local leadership development.  Mrs. Ayres concentrated her work in the Fifth City community, located on the West Side of Chicago.  Fifth City became a model for community renewal that was replicated in other communities and countries around the world.  Mrs. Ayres was particularly devoted to the development and support of the Fifth City Preschool which was established to facilitate child care for its working families.  She took great pride and satisfaction in her 25 years of fund raising and development for the Preschool and made many lasting friendships there.  

  Mrs. Ayres is survived by her husband, Joe G. Ayres, a daughter Martha Garcia, three sons – Michael, Peter (Lioness) and John Ayres, two brothers -            Edward (Norene) and Raymond (Joan) Grossmann of the St. Louis area, and three grandchildren – Jeremiah (Carrie), Kerry, and Nicholas Ayres.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary Grossmann.

  A memorial service will be held at a later date – to be announced.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Fifth City Preschool, 3411 West 5th Avenue, Chicago, IL  60624; the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL  60640, or Wesley United Methodist Church, Naperville, IL  60540.

  Richard H.T. Alton International Consultants and Associates 'building global bridges' 166 N. Humphrey Ave, Apt, 1N Oak Park, IL 60302 T:1.773.344.7172 richard.alton at gmail.com Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back Babe Ruth

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