SR0298 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0298 LRB094 12913 CSA 47761 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Matilda "Tillie" Dennis of Chicago on June 25, 2005; and

WHEREAS, She was born August 27, 1930, to Matilda Pinkard and James Thorn in Montgomery, Alabama; after the death of her mother, she and her four siblings moved to Chicago when she was one year old; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dennis graduated from Corpus Christi Elementary School and attended DuSable High School; she was baptized in the Catholic Church and her strong faith sustained her throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, She was an avid reader who gladly shared facts and antidotes from the vast literary works she read; she was an alumnus of Altgeld Gardens where she raised her children and formed lifelong relationships with a host of friends who cherished her; and

WHEREAS, She worked in several occupations throughout her life; she managed her brother's restaurants (Prince & Joy's) for many years and, later in her life, her love for young people drew her to the University of Chicago where she served as the late night "mama" for more than 20 years until her retirement; and

WHEREAS, Anyone who knew Tillie also knew that her children and family always came first; her happiest moments were when she was sharing time with them and celebrating the special and not-so-special occasions; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her sons, Jimmy and Ronnie, her mother and father, and her brothers and sisters; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Matilda Dennis is felt by all who knew and loved her, especially her children, Harry (Yvonne), Clarice (Sydney), Vincent (Deborah), and Antoinette (Ralph); her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her niece and nephews; and a host of other family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the loss of Matilda "Tillie" Dennis and extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.