Anne M. Crook 70, of Indianapolis, died peacefully in her sleep late on Christmas night. She was born in New York City in August, 1945, and lived there and in Mineola, Long Island, until her family moved to Chicago in 1955. After receiving an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Marycrest College, she moved to St. Louis, where she began her career as an elementary educator and received a masters degree in elementary reading instruction from the University of Missouri. She met her future husband Ken there in 1968, and they were married in 1971 and moved to Indianapolis in 1972.
After a twenty-year hiatus to raise four children, she resumed her career in education as a kindergarten teacher at Spring Mill Elementary School at MSD Washington Township, from which she retired in 2008. She was a dedicated educator, for example making a special effort on her own initiative each summer to visit her prospective students for the next school year and their families in their homes to set the stage for her students’ success.
Above all, she was a devoted wife and mother who set an example of unconditional love , integrity, and concern for the dignity and needs of others which her children have lived and imported into their own families.
Anne and Ken are long-time parishioners of St. Luke Catholic Church, and Anne served the parish in many volunteer capacities, including on the parish board of education. After her retirement, she and Ken represented the parish in volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and as St. Vincent de Paul home visitors in providing assistance to families in need.
Anne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2010, and as her condition worsened she provided the inspiration for the Crook family team to raise funds to combat the disease through the Indianapolis Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Crook family extends special thanks to the dedicated caregivers of Senior Home Companions and Brookdale Carmel who did so much to maintain Anne’s quality of life during her illness.
Anne was preceded in death by her mother Anne D. Keenan and her father Hubert P. Keenan. She is survived by her husband Ken and by her four children and their families: David (Susan) and Sarah, Julia, and Alex Crook of Carmel, Indiana; Bryan (Hilary) and Liam, Ethan, and Henry Crook of Cortlandt Manor, New York; Timothy Crook of Brooklyn, New York; and Katie (Mike) and Orson Fox of Indianapolis. She is also survived by her four brothers-Robert (Mariann) Keenan of Mission Viejo, California; Don (Joy) Keenan of Bellingham, Washington; Gerry (Kathy Janega) Keenan of Glencoe, Illinois; and Vincent (Patty) Keenan of Naperville, Illinois.
Calling will be at Leppert Mortuary at 740 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 4, and a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church
at 7575 Holliday Drive East in Indianapolis at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial contributions be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St. , Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240, or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 3001 E. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46218.
Tributes are short messages commemorating Anne, or an expression of support to her closest family and friends. Leave your first tribute here, and others will follow.
The world is missing this beautiful person who helped raise me at school and after school and who raised such a wonderful family. Years ago, when Tim first left for NYC, Anne took me aside and proceeded to tell me Tim's entire medical history, allergies, and a gentle reminder to let her know if anything happens. Such care and love. Such a loving mother to so many.
