CHICOPEE, Mass. - Ann M. (Fillekes) Aickelin, 79, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, December 16, 2013. She passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Huntington, Long Island, New York on March 16, 1934, a beloved daughter of the late John and Margaret (Malone) Fillekes. She was raised in Huntington, New York and moved to the Fairview section of Chicopee in 1961. She was employed as a noon attendant for many years for the Chicopee School Department and was currently working at the Streiber Elementary School. She previously was employed as a bookkeeper and office manager at her husband's business, the Alden Dental Lab, in Chicopee. Ann was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church where she served on the Missions Committee and was an active volunteer in their efforts at Lorraine's Soup Kitchen, both in Chicopee. She was active in the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Fireball Club and the Kielbasa Festival. During her younger years, she was active in the Band Parents Association at Chicopee Comprehensive High School and a former Girl Scout Leader. Her greatest joy in life was being a loving wife and homemaker to her children and grandchildren. She showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. She leaves her loving husband and best friend, Frederick R. Aickelin. They were married on July 27, 1951 in New York and were blessed with over 62 years of happiness together. She also leaves her three loving children, Elizabeth A. Aickelin and her partner, Peter Nilles, of California, Ronald A. Aickelin and his wife, Debbie, of North Carolina, and Carrie L. Walls and her husband, Daniel, of Connecticut; her five cherished grandchildren whom she adored, A. J. Aickelin, Nicholas A. Aickelin and his wife, Lindsey, Joshua Walls, Alexander Walls and Daniel McCarthy; her dear sister, Elizabeth "Bet" Sympson and her husband, Bill, of East Hills, NY; and her dear nephews and nieces. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her dear brother and sisters, John Fillekes, Peggy Cozzolina and Georgie Douglas. Her family will receive friends at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 on Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. A private funeral for her family will be held on Friday, December 20, 2013 with burial following at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Faith United Methodist Church Missions Committee, 191 Montcalm Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com

[Published in The Springfield Republican from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, 2013]