Ann Rae Hoey

Ann Rae (Masters) Hoey, of Metamora, passed away on December 1, 2021. She was born in Peoria, on November 4, 1934, to Katherina (Munch) and Roy S. Masters, and lived in the area her entire life. She is survived by her husband, William O. Hoey; their three children, Cynthia (Gene Bourke) Hoey of Peoria, William Patrick (Kelli Majors) Hoey of Sterling Heights, MI, and Sandra Rae (Martin Scutt) Hoey of Newton Hill, Scotland; their two granddaughters, Stefanie (Kody) King of Washington and Bridget (Barrett Carlson) Bourke of Peoria; and their three great-grandchildren, Ellis, Juliet and Desmond King. Ann is also survived by three sisters, Eileen Willis, Janice Parizek and Chris (Mike) Raymer; four brothers, Steve Masters, Fred (Vickie) Masters, Jim (Maureen) Masters and Bob (Rose) Masters; and her husband’s siblings, Ruth (Gene) Rosine and Tom (Mary) Hoey, whom she considered family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and sister, Jack and Theresa Maholic, and a baby sister who died at birth. Ann married William O. Hoey on February 14, 1953, St. Mark’s Church in Peoria, IL. She graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1952, as salutatorian. Bill and Ann met working together at the A & P in East Peoria and theirs was a true partnership for their 68 years of marriage. Although she was content to remain a stay-at-home mom for 14 years, she quickly blossomed into an invaluable employee of the not-for-profit Illinois Association of Senior Citizens, graduating from a secretarial position to the editor of a state-wide newspaper -- the Senior Citizens’ Voice, a position she held for over 20 years. After her retirement, she volunteered countless hours at Wildlife Prairie Park. When Bill retired from teaching and started his antique business, Ann taught herself basket-weaving and chair-caning, and worked alongside him to grow the business. She grew and gathered plants and herbs to produce the natural dyes needed for the weaving. She loved poetry and music, and especially enjoyed theatre performances by her daughter Cindy and son-in-law Gene, along with her son Pat’s classical guitar, and her granddaughter Bridget’s jazz saxophone. She and Bill traveled extensively, to Scotland (of course), Ireland, Paris, Australia, New Zealand, Western Europe, Italy, the Caribbean, all over the US and Canada, and many times to their second “home” in Estes Park, Colorado. An avid feminist, Ann worked hard to remain politically aware, and was a passionate supporter of Hillary Clinton during both her presidential bids. Visitation will be held at Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services in East Peoria, on December 6, 2021, from 4 PM to 7 PM. The family will drink a toast to Ann at 6:30 PM. Donations may be made in Ann’s name to St. Jude’s, Midwest Affiliate. The family has requested no flowers. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

Ann Rae Hoey

November 4, 1934 - December 1, 2021