Ann Seidman's Obituary
Ann Maginnis Seidman, long time head of the Research Library at A.E. Staley Mfg. Company, active in local educational and civic organizations, died September 10, 2017 during treatment at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Seidman came to Decatur in the late 1950’s with her husband, Martin, a chemist who was employed by the Staley Company in their research laboratories. After time spent at home with their eight children she entered graduate school at the University of Illinois and received an MS degree in Library Science. She worked at the Decatur Public Library and then became head of the research library at the Staley Company until her retirement. She and her husband then traveled in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.
Ann Seidman was a vigorous and determined woman who did not like to be idle, and discouraged idleness in those around her. An avid reader and life-long learner, she was active in numerous organizations and societies. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Beta Phi Mu (honorary library fraternity), the Decatur Area Arts Council, the Macon County Historical Society, Zonta International, and the Special Libraries organization, among others. She was on the boards of the Shamamo Girl Scout Council, the Decatur Council of Education, Magna Bank, and was a member of the Macon County Health Board. She served terms as President of Zonta International, President of the Decatur Area Arts Council, and Vice President of the AAUW. She was on the Committee for the Development of the Illinois State Library and Information Network, and the Advisory Council of the University of Illinois Library School. She was active in the Decatur Quilters Guild, Macon County Justice Council, the NAACP, Pink Smoke and Movie Classes at the Avon Theater. For many years she was involved in Study Class. Ann very much enjoyed attending, with friends, many programs and concerts at Milliken University (Kirkland), the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur and the University of Illinois (Krannert). In addition, she was a skilled seamstress and made clothing and quilts for herself and her family. She was also interested in the culinary arts, was a skilled cook and assembled a large and diverse collection of cookbooks.
Ann Maginnis Seidman was born in Ithaca, New York, March 12, 1923 to Ernest and Miriam Maginnis. After several years they moved to Oklahoma, where she attended elementary and high school, and was active in 4H. She attended Oklahoma State University where she met her husband who was participating in an Army training program. They were married August 26, 1944, after which he was stationed in Europe until the end of World War II. She received a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1946 from OSU. Then, she and her family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, the Chicago area, and northern Wisconsin, before settling in Decatur.
She is predeceased by her husband, Martin, 1999; son, David, 2017; son-in-law, Chuck Kransberger, 2003; sister, Catherine Spink Alexander, 2013; and is survived by her children, Michael (Lynda Couvillion), Washington, DC; Margaret Kransberger, Joliet, IL; Stephen, Decatur, IL; Peter (Jane), Minneapolis, MN; Christopher (Barbara Gallisath), Grand Junction, CO; Elizabeth Hallingbye (Stig), Cheyenne, WY; Katherine Seidman, Maui, HI; and daughter-in-law, Kim Seidman, Fort Calhoun, NE; grandchildren, Jessica Seidman (Josh Levin), Washington, DC; Beth Kransberger, San Diego, CA; Blair (Tracie) Kransberger, Edgerton, WI; Kate (John) Briese, Naperville, IL; Chris (Denise) Kransberger, Wheaton, IL; Matthew Maginnis Seidman, Hollywood, CA; Emily Seidman (Tony Laruffa), Seattle, WA; Justin (Suzanne) Bachman, Scottsdale, AZ; Joseph Bachman (Eve Benson), San Francisco, CA; Christopher A. Seidman, Peoria, AZ; Laura Seidman, New York, NY; Sam Seidman, Venice, CA; Sarah (Eric) Martens, Adel, IA; Aaron (Viorica) Seidman, Fort Calhoun, NE; Thor Martin (Jenileah) Hallingbye, Cheyenne, WY; Kari Annetthe (Osea) Nelson, Denver, CO; Stephanie (Greg) Czar, Kula, Hawaii; Jason (Chelsea) Seidman, Honolulu, Hawaii; great grandchildren: Bryant Williams, Chelsea Winegarden, Brandon Winegarden, Kacie (Cullen) Schmeling, Kodi Kransberger, Isabelle Briese, Liam Briese, C. J. Kransberger, Danny Kransberger, Tess Kransberger, Amelia Wren Martens, Oskar Hallingbye, Karl Hallingbye, Katelynne Hallingbye, Hazel Nelson, Osea Daniel Nelson, Rebecca Czar, Ivan Czar, Illa Elisabeth Seidman; great-great grandchildren: Nimai Lopez, Deva Winegarden; sisters and brothers: Jane Bloom, Francis Maginnis, Charlotte Mary Palmer, Patricia Maginnis, Michael Maginnis and Paul (Linda) Maginnis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ann’s life will take place at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, 4191 W. US Hwy 36, Decatur, IL, November 4, 2017 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
Memorial donations may be made in Ann’s name to the Decatur Public Library (130 N. Franklin St. 62523), Dove, Inc. (302 S. Union St. 62522) and the Avon Theater (426 N. Water St. 62523).
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