Longtime Daily Herald board member Ann Paddock dies
Former longtime Daily Herald board member Ann M. Paddock, the widow of Paddock Publications' late publisher and chairman Stuart R. Paddock Jr., died early Thursday. She was 86.
"She was the supportive wife of the patriarch of the newspaper for so many years," said Douglas K. Ray, publisher and CEO of the Daily Herald and chairman of Paddock Publications. Ray called her a "strong, very caring and principled board member."
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St., Barrington, with services set for 11 a.m. Monday at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 N. Ela St., Barrington.
"She was one of the smartest, strongest, most generous people I've ever met," said Pete Rosengren, Mrs. Paddock's grandson. "She cared deeply about her family."
While helping to lead Paddock Publications to become the largest suburban newspaper in the Chicago area, Mrs. Paddock also led a large family.
Mrs. Paddock was born to Charles and Harriet Burton and was raised in Chicago. Her first husband died after being struck by an illness following a decorated military career. The two had four children, John, Peter, Susan and Mary Ann.
Mrs. Paddock started in the newspaper business as an executive assistant to Stuart R. Paddock Sr. before his retirement in 1963.
She married Stuart Paddock Jr. on July 24, 1977, in Barrington. He died in 2002 at the age of 86.
"Ann Paddock filled a void in Stu's life, making it possible for him to take commanding charge of the newspaper whose reins he had inherited," said Daniel E. Baumann, chairman emeritus of Paddock Publications and the Daily Herald. "Their life together was filled with love, energy and caring. She shared the high points with him, and she lifted him up on occasion when he was down."
The Paddocks filled their 25-year marriage with a true business partnership at the newspaper, an extensive social life attending cultural events like the symphony and travel. Mrs. Paddock was also active in civic causes, including the Girl Scouts Prairie Council, Northwest Business and Professional Women, and the Northwest Community Hospital Auxiliary.
Mrs. Paddock was elected to the board of directors of Paddock Publications in 1992 and remained an integral part of the board after the death of her husband. She became director emeritus of the board last April.
As a former employee and a family member, she brought a unique perspective to the board.
"She was a big contributor to many of the big decisions we made during the years," Ray said.
Mrs. Paddock is survived by son John (Theresa) Rosengren of Barrington, daughters Susan (Philip) Koch of Barrington and Mary Ann (Thomas) Armer of Mount Prospect and daughter-in-law Gayle Rosengren of Madison as well as Mr. Paddock's children, Lee Dunkel, Jerre Dudley, Greta Vines, Deborah (William) Campbell, Stuart R. (Marlene) Paddock III and son-in-law Richard McLellan in addition to 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.