Major Donations to the Aid Fund
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We thank the following for their large bequests and contributions:
Major Contributions
Robert Abson* Frances K. Dykes, estate  Roberta Sue Metz*
Eva Archer* Helene Gonska, estate  Corinne and Albert Moch*
Loren C. Aspel, trust  Hugh A. Gammel, estate  Amanda Moloney trust 
Nate Blackman  Joyce Gloppe* Mildred L. Mueller, trust 
Beatrice J. Burchfield  Lois J. Hinkle, estate  Ronald Pastryk*
Marjorie Sue Carlson* Irene E. Johanes, estate  Phi Delta Kappa of
Louise E. Christensen Ellen & Gertrude B. Kirby Fund*                     Chicago State University 
Pruitt Conner Family Trust  Shirley Klaper estate  Phoenix, Arizona Chapter of RTAC 
John W. Craig* Frances H. Knaphurst, trust  Frances Reiffel*
Kappa Chapter- Janet Koziol* Helen Marietta Smith, trust 
            Delta Kappa Gamma  Rita Levy, trust  Southern California Chapter of RTAC
Florence M. Devenish  Effie McHenry* Lillian Treka, trust 
* Click on the name for a brief biography
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John W. Craig
The RTAC Board of Directors learned in early September that John W. Craig, who served as a RTAC Director from 2007 until 2015, passed away on August 9, 2022 while in retirement in Naples, Florida. John served in a variety of positions in the Chicago Public Schools between 1957 and 1993. He taught High School English, History, and Vocational subjects. He served in the U.S. Army as well as in the Reserves. In addition to public service he was also a private business owner. He was active in the Rotary Club and served on various boards in Oak Brook, Illinois culminating with a four-year term as President of the Village of Oak Brook. A memorial service was held in Naples, Florida in August and a Celebration of Life was held at the Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club in October. The RTAC Board expresses its condolences to John W. Craig’s family, friends, and former colleagues. May his memory always serve as a blessing.
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Effie McHenry
The Boards of Directors of the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago and the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund are sad to report the passing of Ms. Effie McHenry who served as a staff assistant at the RTAC office from 2007 through 2014. Following her 2006 retirement from CPS, she provided dedicated and caring service to RTAC members, Aid Fund recipients, and individuals who contacted the RTAC office for a variety of needs. Ms. McHenry served in a variety of roles as a Chicago Public Schools educator for 47 years. She began her CPS career as a teacher at the Betsy Ross Elementary School. She transferred to Wentworth Elementary where she served as a third-grade teacher, Special Education instructor, counselor, and Assistant Principal. In 1993, she became the principal of Wentworth and served in that position until her retirement in June 2006. Ms. McHenry’s exemplary career generated a Leadership and Collaboration Award from the Salvation Army and a Leadership Award from Chicago State University. The RTAC Board of Directors extends its sincere condolences to Ms. McHenry’s family, friends, and former colleagues. May those who had the privilege of knowing her be forever enriched by her presence in their lives.
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Joyce Gloppe
The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund is pleased to announce a bequest from the late Joyce Gloppe. Ms. Gloppe, a RTAC life member since 1994, made a generous bequest to promote the Aid Fund’s ongoing mission to assist retired Chicago Public School educators in challenging circumstances. Ms. Gloppe was a native Chicagoan, dedicated Cubs fan,  and graduate of Kelvyn Park High School. During her youth she aspired to become a teacher. Fortunately, she was able to fulfill that dream by joining the faculty of Kelvyn Park High School following her graduation from college. She concluded her full career at her alma mater as the chairperson of the Kelvyn Park High School History Department and as a counselor. She was a lifelong learner who enjoyed travelling to a variety of countries where she enriched her knowledge of British and American History so as to consistently share new insights with her students. The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund is most grateful to Ms. Gloppe who generously exemplifies its mission of stewardship of her former colleagues. The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund’s Board of Directors extends its sincere condolences to Ms. Gloppe’s family, friends, and former colleagues. May her life and her gift remain as blessings. Ellen and Gertrude B. Kirby Fund Ellen Kirby concluded a 27 ½ year career when she retired from her position as a counselor at the Schneider Elementary  School in June 1993 and joined RTAC. Since 2016. CRTAF has been the recipient of an annual Designated Fund Grant from the Ellen and Gertrude B. Kirby Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward. The annual grant, which has steadily increased over the past seven years, has been providing operating support for the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund beginning in 2016 and continuing through 2022. It is legacy bequests such as the Ellen and Gertrude B. Kirby Fund through the Community Foundation of Broward which provides sustaining support or CRTAF.
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Ellen and Gertrude B. Kirby Fund
Ellen Kirby concluded a 27 ½ year career when she retired from her position as a counselor at the Schneider Elementary School in June 1993 and joined RTAC. Since 2016. CRTAF has been the recipient of an annual Designated Fund Grant from the Ellen and Gertrude B. Kirby Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward. The annual grant, which has steadily increased over the past seven years, has been providing operating support for the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund beginning in 2016 and continuing through 2022. It is legacy bequests such as the Ellen and Gertrude B. Kirby Fund through the Community Foundation of Broward which provides sustaining support for CRTAF.
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Robert Abson
The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund gratefully acknowledges a gift from the estate of the late Robert Abson, a CTPF annuitant, who generously bequeathed a percentage of his IRA account to CRTAF. Gifts such as Mr. Abson’s sustain the mission of the Fund which provides ongoing or one-time grants-in-aid to retired CTPF annuitants who need assistance due to varying circumstances. As you consider the disposition of your holdings, please consider supporting our Aid Fund.
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Frances Reiffel
The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund gratefully accepts Ms. Frances Reiffel’s Chicago Teachers Pension Fund bequest of her death benefit. Ms. Reiffel had a full career as a teacher at the Hayt Elementary School from which she retired in 1983. During her years as a RTAC member she made contributions to both the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago and the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund to memorialize former colleagues and to acknowledge RTAC’s mission and its importance to her and her fellow retirees.
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Corinne and Albert Moch
The RTAC Board is pleased to accept a significant bequest from the estate of the late Corinne and Albert Moch. Corinne Moch served as a teacher of the hearing impaired and as a counselor at the Bell Elementary School. Albert Moch served as a Geography teacher at Von Steuben High School. They also served as youth advisors of the Temple Sholom Youth Group in the 1950s and 1960s. One of the members of the Temple Sholom Youth Group was so inspired by Mrs. Moch’s career that she became a teacher of the hearing impaired. The Mochs were married for sixty years. Both Corinne and Albert enjoyed traveling around the world and he hitch-hiked around the globe for two years. Albert was an avid sports fan who enjoyed going to the gym four times per week during his retirement. Corinne was a political junkie, avid bridge player, and member of the Advisory Council on Aging for the City of Chicago.
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Roberta Sue Metz
The Chicago Retired Teachers AidFund Board gratefully acknowledges a generous bequest from the estate of the late Roberta Sue Metz. Ms. Metz followed in the professional footsteps of four generations of her family who served as educators. She taught in communities across Chicago and worked on the development of Head Start and Special Needs programs when they were initiated in the mid-1960s. She concluded her career with eighteen years of service as the Assistant Principal of  Ebinger Elementary School. In retirement she moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she became active in the Hot Springs Village Women’s Club, the Ladies Auxiliary of her local VFW post, the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as the Ladies Auxiliary and All Saints Guild of her church. She enjoyed playing bridge and maintained her membership in Delta Kappa Gamma.
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Marjorie Sue Carlson
The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund gratefully acknowledges a bequest received November 10, 2014, from the estate of the late Marjorie Sue Carlson who passed away on January 3, 2014.  Ms. Carlson’s generous gift enables CRTAF to provide grants-in-aid to a number of grantees in the year ahead. Gifts such as Ms. Carlson’s have enabled CRTAF to assist former colleagues with modest pensions since RTAC’s benevolent sister organization was established in 1951.  Ms. Carlson’s legacy reflects her lifelong generosity and concern for her fellow colleagues. She began her career at Funston Elementary in 1954.  She also taught at Gray and Monroe. She retired in 1986 and joined RTAC that same year. Throughout her 27 years of retirement she contributed regularly to the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund.  CRTAF is appreciative of Ms. Carlson’s ongoing generosity throughout her lifetime as well as her personal commemoration of her passing. May her memory remain as a blessing and an inspiration to those of us who recall her thoughtfulness and caring spirit as well as those who are the beneficiaries of her generosity.
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Janet Koziol
Ms. Koziol was a retired teacher and the last survivor of her family.  She bequeathed the proceeds from her CTPF death benefit policy to the Aid Fund.  Ms. Koziol passed on May 23, 2007.  She retired from  Chopin Elementary in 1976 after a 33-year career.
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Eva Archer
Mrs. Archer generously bequeathed her CTPF contributions to CRTAF. After her passing in 1999, Mrs. Archer’s husband, Raymond, indicated that she wanted her contributions used to assist other former teachers.  Mrs. Archer worked in the Chicago Public Schools from1963-1968.
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Ronald Pastryk
Mr. Pastryk generously made a sizable donation to the Aid fund.
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“We are most grateful and appreciative to all who support the Aid Fund,” said Executive Director Arlene R . Crandall. “All tax-deductible bequests honor the spirit of the donor, and provide vital budget relief for our program. May the memories of Janet Koziol, Eva Archer and Ronald Pastryk, three generous former colleagues, always remain with us as a blessing.”




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