Obituary of Marybeth Koch Anderson

Marybeth Anderson Obituary

Marybeth Koch Anderson, beloved wife, mother and District 25 educator, was born in Hackensack, NJ on May 5th, 1951 and passed December 2, 2024 in Libertyville, IL after a brave fight with ovarian cancer. Marybeth grew up as the oldest of 4 siblings to loving parents William and Gloria Godshall Koch. At age 10 they moved from New Jersey to Arlington Heights, IL, but returned each summer to their beloved beach home on Long Beach Island, KoKo. Marybeth went to Arlington Heights High School and then Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX where she met Dirk Anderson on her first day, her first class of her freshman year. Marybeth was President of Chi Omega Sorority, and made lifelong enduring friendships at SMU. Marybeth began her teaching career in 1973 and her 1st grade students all attended her wedding to Dirk on August 10th, 1974. They had 3 children - Jeff, Trent and Tricia - in 4 years and the family moved to Middlesboro, KY in 1979. Marybeth continued to teach 1st grade and later became Principal of Middlesboro Elementary School after receiving her Masters in Educational Administration from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. The family moved back to Illinois in 1993 and Marybeth returned to the classroom in District 25, quickly becoming Principal of Ivy Hill Elementary in 1995 and later Olive Mary Stitt in 2001. Marybeth’s love for literacy and passion for excellence in teaching and administration was contagious. She studied the incoming kindergartners’ names to make sure she personally knew every child at her school. Her strong leadership, positive personality and support of all staff members were praised by teachers, families, and students. She inspired many to pursue the path of education both within and beyond District 25.

Marybeth is survived by her husband Dirk, son Jeff Anderson (Ashley) of Mundelein, IL, Trent Anderson (Alicia Peterson) in Kansas City, KS and Tricia Anderson Bell (Brendan) of Manhattan, KS. Her much-loved grandchildren are Archer, Aubrey, Brogan, Hudson, Griffin, Annelise, Whitaker and Juliette. She is survived by her sister and kindred spirit Patricia (Tom) Harris of Arlington Heights, John (Maggie) Koch of Lodi, CA, and Jamie (LeAnn) Koch of McLean, VA.

Marybeth loved her annual time at KoKo watching the sunrises over the Atlantic and the ebb and flow of the tides. She loved hosting Mimi and Ba Camp for her 8 grandchildren. She had a prodigious memory for birthdays that made people feel loved and known when she remembered their birthday. She was a legendary fan of Duke Basketball and Coach K, patriotic band music, the Sunday Night Football theme song, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Marybeth will be remembered for her effervescence & enthusiasm, leadership & love, warmth & wisdom. She will be remembered as a Woman of Valor (Proverbs 31) whose faith sustained her in every season. She will be remembered for devotedly loving her family and serving the community through education, touching the lives of thousands of students and teachers.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 7th at 2pm at The Orchard, 1330 Douglas Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Doors will open at 1:30pm with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the Marybeth Anderson Education Scholarship, http://sd25.revtrak.net/PTA/AH-Council-Of-PTAs. Please specify it is for the Marybeth Anderson Education Scholarship in the Optional comments box. Scholarship donations may also be sent by check payable to AHC PTA with Marybeth Anderson Education Scholarship in the memo line and mail checks to Marybeth Anderson Education Scholarship, C/O AHC PTA, 1200 South Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.