Update, Feb. 25, 2024 / With many fond memories of many great stories, we are incredibly saddened to hear about Ann Good Lord’s passing Sat., Feb. 24, 2024, at the age of 93.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Christian Science Church, 1108 Oswego Road, Naperville.
Update, Jan. 18, 2024 / Another year… Another birthday! Happy Birthday, Ann Good Lord!
Dozens and dozens of Positively Naperville readers “liked” news about Ann’s birthday on social media. The following readers (names in bold) posted a comment and/or fond memory:
Happy 93rd Birthday Ann! I remember when I lived across the street from you & when my husband played with the band for several years! Hope you have a great year. —Pat Fanthorpe
Happy Birthday Ann. Thank you for all your wonderful musical stories. —Melanie Kosmala-Special
Happy 93rd birthday Mrs. Lord. We love coming to the band concerts in the summer with my mom and hearing your voice announce the pieces. I also loved having you as a teacher at NNHS and seeing you at our house when my mom did your hair. Have a wonderful year!—Jackie Jansen Pajor
Happy Birthday Ann! I miss you so much! —Cathy Agnew Steinbach
Happy Happy Birthday!! What a joy to see you still singing!! I was your Hygienist for awhile. You were always a delight. —Dianne McConkey Paige
Happy birthday Ann! —Sharon Aldana Oliver
Happy Birthday, Ann! —Debbie Denson
Happy Birthday! You bring so much joy and laughter to the NMB concerts. Have a blessed birthday! —Estrada Lucy
Happy 93rd birthday, beautiful Ann, the voice of the NMB. Enjoy another amazing year! Cheers to you. —Carol Ann
Happy birthday! —Nancy A Quigley
Happy birthday! —Barb Linn Gillum
Happy #93 Anniversary! —Kathleen Hayden
Happy 93rd Birthday, Ann! Hope you enjoy your very special day! —Diane Millar
Have an amazing year! —Marilyn Tomaeno Overcash
Happy Birthday! —Rochelle Lynn
Republican Voters For Naperville
Happy 93rd birthday! —Republican Voters For Naperville
Happy birthday Mrs lord! Loved having you as my speech teacher at NNHS! You look great and I wish you more health and happiness! —Jen Jansen DiNello
We moved back to Naperville in 2017. When we heard “Strike Up the Band”—and your familiar voice as announcer, we knew we were home. Happy Birthday, Ann! —Sally Stanis Nurss
Happy birthday Ann. My dad, Carl Russell, played clarinet in the band, in the sixties. I remember hearing your lovely voice every Thursday night at the park in the summer. God bless you. —Lynn Weeks
Happy Birthday Ann! I hope you have a wonderful year ahead! We hope to see you at the band concerts! —Paula Howland Cree
Happy Birthday —Suzy Lisowski
Happy Birthday Ann! Have a wonderful day and year to follow! —Bonnie Poole
In addition, the following was posted on the Caring Bridge from Vicki and Ron Keller…
Happy birthday to Ann Lord. Ron and Ann worked side by side for 57 years as Ann researched and wrote the script for the Naperville Municipal Band’s summer and indoor concerts and Ron directed the band. Ron and Ann have been known to sing a duet on some of the past summer concerts in Central Park. “Dearie” was the song they sang together and I remember how nervous Ron was when he knew he had to sing in front of a large crowd.
Ron and Ann grew up just a few houses from each other on Ellsworth Street and are very close friends who have shared many vacations, trips to Wisconsin where Ann’s husband John fished with Ron and Ann and I shopped. Ann and Ron used to love to look at the spectacular show of stars in the beautiful Wisconsin night sky. Such good memories!
Ann’s favorite cake is angel food and I always made her a homemade cake for her birthday. She always loved the cake, as angel food was what her mother made for her. Happy Birthday, “Dearie.” —Love, Vicki and Ron
Original Post, Jan. 18, 2021 / To celebrate Ann Lord’s 90th Birthday; family, friends, neighbors and the Naperville Municipal Band organized a car parade honoring her joyful optimism and witful spirit. Ann turned 90 on January 18, 2021.
Ann Good Lord has served as emcee for the Naperville Municipal Band for 62 years. And anyone who has ever attended a concert through the years will instantly remember her iconic voice, musings and entertaining narratives that lead into songs.
At the car parade, despite a few flurries, Ann remarked, “At least it’s not snowing … it’s just an artistic snow.”
She added, “This is a once in a lifetime experience … then (again) everything you do happens (just) once.”
After the car parade, Vicki Keller presented the birthday girl with a large shopping bag filled with birthday greetings that had been mailed to Ann Lord in care of the Naperville Municipal Band, P.O. Box 474 Naperville, IL 60566.
Update, December 2021 / Ann Lord had considered stepping down from her historic role on stage to emcee Naperville Municipal Band Concerts. In fact, she said that timing just seemed right as she anticipated celebrating her 90th birthday.
Then she was inundated with birthday cards and well wishes. The love she felt from the community changed her mind. And thanks to her good friend Vicki Keller, son Steve and his wife Pat, and daughter Cathy, all of whom have provided transportation to and from rehearsals and concerts, Ann hasn’t skipped a beat. She says as long as she has a ride, she’ll continue to share her memorable narration at every Thursday evening summer band concert in Central Park and indoor concert on stage at the Wentz Concert Hall. Cheers!
