Ann M. Derrick

Ann Marie Derrick, 61, of Springfield, passed away in the evening hours of Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Springfield Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with an unrelenting foe. She never complained; she never gave in. She was an inspiration to those who walked with her on her Final Journey and will remain so, always.

She was born, the first of what would become a family of eight children, on March 4, 1961 in Quincy, IL, the daughter of Thomas E. Strieker and Barbara M. (Hoener) Strieker. She married Jeffery Derrick on September 21, 1991 in Springfield and he survives.

She graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School in Quincy, IL where she participated in a girls' volleyball program that won the state championship once and was runner-up once. She was later inducted into QND's Hall of Fame.

In 1983, she graduated with honors from the School of Nursing at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. While at Millikin, Ann was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Alpha Tau Delta, a professional nursing society. In 2008, Ann was chosen as the Distinguished Alumnus of the School of Nursing. She also earned a Master's Degree in Nursing from SIU, Edwardsville.

Ann worked as a Registered Nurse at HSHS St. John's Hospital for nearly 37 years, from June 1983 until April of 2020. Following her tenure there, she became a healthcare consultant and started her own firm, Sangamon Healthcare Solutions.

In her leisure time, she created greeting cards and was a dealer for Stampin' Up! She led card-making classes in-person, and, during Covid, online. Over the years, she created thousands of designs and made cards for countless friends. Ann created the Christmas cards every year that she and Jeff sent.

One of Ann's favorite places to visit was Key West, Florida. She loved the laid-back lifestyle, the food, the people, and the entertainment. She spent many hours visiting art galleries looking for a favorite quirky work of art. Ann often said that spending time on or near the ocean was a soul-healing and mind-cleansing experience for her. Watching the sun, at the close of the day, slide slowly into the ocean provided a perfect finale.

Ann loved to travel and explore new places. In the last several years, she was fortunate to visit Italy, where she experienced the Vatican, Assisi, Pompeii, and Positano, and plus Germany, where she visited the International Headquarters and Motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in Teltge. She also enjoyed a trip to the U.K. in 2014 visiting Jeff's ancestors' home in the Western Highlands of Scotland.

If one were able to ask her what were among her fondest memories of life, she might just respond that being in Busch Stadium to witness Games 6 and 7 of the 2011 World Series, during which her beloved St. Louis Cardinals won their 11th World Series title, was near the top. In her retelling over the past decade or so, she often said, "We've never hugged, high-fived, cried and laughed with so many complete strangers!"

Besides Jeff, she is survived by her mother Barbara Strieker of Quincy, IL; her 7 siblings, Jim (Jeanne Rowald) Strieker of Janesville, WI, Ken (Mary) Strieker of Carol Stream, IL, Mark (Lyn) Strieker of Quincy, IL, Dan (Kathy) Strieker of Brentwood, MO, Steve Strieker of Janesville, WI, Tom (Kim) Strieker of Quincy, IL, and Julie (K.J.) Whittaker of Quincy, IL; 22 nieces and nephews; and 8 great-nieces and great-nephews, whom she adored. Of those, she leaves behind several special god-children: Ashley Rose Koetters of Quincy, IL, Ben Whittaker of Quincy, IL, Alison G. Strieker of Janesville, WI, Eric Strieker of Wheaton, IL, Julie West of Milwaukie, OR, and Thomas E. Strieker II of Hanover Park, IL.

She was preceded in death by her father Thomas E. Strieker in 1978 and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy (Virginia) Hoener and Mr. and Mrs. Edward (Genevieve) Strieker.

Burial was at Old Salem Cemetery, Springfield.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Erin's Pavilion at Southwind Park, 4965 South Second St., Springfield. A Program of Remembrance will begin at 2:00. Please dress casually.