Petrine Jane Christein Ashley, 76, was a teacher who brought her classroom everywhere she went, a storyteller, writer, and artist. Born on January 12, 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Alice Skinner Christein and Marion "Cope" Christein, she became a ballet dancer, Job's Daughter, and member of Calvary Baptist Church. She attended PS81 and Arsenal Technical High School. At University of Evansville, Petrine earned a merit scholarship and met lab partner Gary Ashley. They protested the war and wrote an underground newspaper with friends that the FBI may or may not still have on file.
Her nearly 40-year career began in Booneville, Indiana. After moving to Chicago in 1969, she taught for Chicago Public Schools, and was devoted to her second-grade Spry School students. Petrine earned master's and ABD doctorate degrees from National Louis University, then served as a reading specialist and leader in the Chicago Area Writing Project. After retiring, she volunteered at Ravenswood Elementary. An active St. Pauls United Church of Christ member, she hand wrote cards for every congregant's birthday and was called The Mayor by her kids for constantly shaking hands and kissing babies. She held all the family history in the palm of her hand. Petrine's favorite students and teachers were her children and grandchildren.
Petrine Ashley is survived by Garold Ashley, her husband of 55 years, children Jessica Ashley and Seth Ashley (Sharon), and grandchildren, Ethan Ashley-Ferguson, Grace Ashley-McGraw, James Ashley, and Jacob Ashley. Always in her heart were best friends Marcia Franz and Linda Young, niece Stana McKitrick, sisters-in-law Joy Brinkmeyer and Shirley Couts, and an address book full of people she adored. Petrine is embraced in heaven by her parents, sister Elizabeth Christein Drey, dear family and friends. Services will be held on May 13, 2023 at 2 pm at St. Pauls UCC. Donations are welcome at Three Angels Haiti, threeangelshaiti.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment