Aileen Tyson

Aileen Tyson, age 96, passed away on May 24, 2024 in her home at Azpira Place in Lake Zurich. Aileen was born on January 20, 1928 in San Jose, California to Townsend and Mildred (nee Van Horn) Tyson. She settled in Illinois after spending many years in her beloved Los Gatos, California home.

During Aileen’s childhood she lived where the Santa Clara Valley fruit orchards stretched as far as one could see and the sands of Half Moon Bay were close enough to spend fun days beachcombing or swimming in the surf. Townsend and Mildred instilled the camping bug in her with their many trips to the coast and the Sierra Mountains. 

In her high school years, Aileen’s love for music and instruments began. She played baritone horn and trombone in the orchestra and was a natural musician. She had the ability to pick up an instrument for the first time and play as though she had for years.

Soon after high school, Aileen was married to Paul S. Williams in 1947 and their growing family loved the outdoors. Together they tent-camped constantly throughout California and eventually ventured on a cross-country car trip to the 1964 World’s fair and back with their 6 children in tow. Managing all the children and keeping them fed and clothed on these trips fell to Aileen’s knack for packing the right things and always having snacks on hand. She never made it seem like a chore, but rather part of the fun. Later in life, Aileen went on to marry Jared Ingersoll. 

Aileen had a long career as a professional musician. She played double bass for The San Jose Symphony, The San Jose Opera Company, The Evanston Symphony, The Northbrook Symphony, and The Northshore Concert Band. Aileen was very proud to play in the orchestra for the Do It Yourself Messiah in Chicago under Margaret Hillis. One of her all-time favorite moments was playing with The Northshore Concert Band under The Eiffel Tower in Paris.  

She always had piano students coming to the house and taught string bass too. Later in life she learned to play the pipe organ and became choir director at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Glencoe, Illinois, and later at Grace Episcopal Church in Chicago, Illinois. She obtained her real estate license and sold homes throughout Chicago’s Northshore for many years.

Aileen had many skills, including sewing. She made clothes for herself and her children, and even did seamstress work for others. Aileen had a green thumb and loved gardening and enjoyed doing various crafts. She was very well read and had a natural curiosity about life. She led book clubs where she lived and strived to inspire her fellow residents with eclectic book recommendations. She was overjoyed once she figured out how to navigate YouTube and spent many hours getting lost in all the knowledge and entertainment at her fingertips. 

When her hearing loss ended her music career, she turned her creative energy to her painting, mostly watercolor, and produced many beautiful works of art which she sold at galleries and shows. 

As age brought forth physical challenges late in life, her resolve to remain independent was remarkable and inspirational. She found ways to get things done and remain active even with her limitations.  

Aileen loved animals, the beach, bicycles, wine, fine dining, and good conversation. She absolutely loved opera and listened to it constantly. She loved people, and wanted everyone to have fun, urging them on with her huge sense of humor, her distinctive laugh and warm demeanor. 

Her friendships at Azpira Place were very important to her and gave her a daily dose of love and support. She loved to play games with her friends, have meals together, and go to the movies. 

Above all things, Aileen was a caring and devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her children, Marty (Leo Wilson) Williams, Bruce Williams, Laura Fairbank, Sarah Schroeder, Amy Kurth, and Tom (Jill Watson) Williams; grandchildren, Lisa (Ted) Kasemir, Jason Williams, Laura Williams, Claire (Drew Forsythe) Williams, Robert (Megan Cunningham) Williams and Daniel (Aimee) Williams, Graham (Jennifer) and Ben (Jordan Kardasz) Fairbank, Brian (Kristen) and Shaun (Pam) Kurth and Lauren (Nick) Conrad; sister, Joan Mathews; brother, Bill (Charlene) Tyson; sister-in-law, Claudia Tyson; great grandchildren, Alex (Michele), Katrina, Tyler, Derek, Aya, Mielle, Gaius, and Lily, Liam, Callie, Nicole, Dylan, Chloe, Cora; and many nieces and nephews that will all miss her dearly. 

She was preceded in death by her son, David Williams; son-in-laws, David Schroeder and Sandy Kurth; and Brother, Gerald Tyson.

Aileen leaves behind a legacy of music, art, family, laughter and a zest for life that will live forever in the hearts of her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life remembering Aileen will be held on Saturday, August 17th at Barrington's White House, 145 W. Main St. in Barrington, IL from 2-5 PM. Open House Reception with light fare and refreshments 2:00 - 3:30PM, Program at 3:30 PM. Click here for parking information.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Yosemite Conservancy, 101 Mongomery Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104, The Lyric Opera Of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 860, Chicago, IL 60606 or a charity of your choosing.