Arts & Entertainment

Co-founder of Oak Brook's First Folio Theater dies

Alison Vesely provided nearly two decades of leadership to her theater

Alison Vesely died on November 25 of cancer, according to the Chicago Tribune. The 59-year-old had ovarian cancer, and last week her doctor told Vesely that the cancer had spread to her brain.

Vesely founded Oak Brook's First Folio Theater with her husband, David Rice, in the summer of 1997. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1979 and met her husband when the two were working at a community theater in Lisle.

She directed led 36 plays throughout her career.

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Vesely is survived by her husband, her daughter Hayley, and her sister, Sharon Gilbert of Springfield.

A private service was planned for Monday, and planning for a public ceremony is underway.

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