SR0603 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0603 LRB100 13166 MST 27562 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Helena Khayat Finka of Wadsworth, who passed away on February 4, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Helena Finka was born in Orszczow, Poland to Karol and Maria (Knapcyk) Orawiec on September 17, 1926, the second of five children along with, Karol, Eugene, Michalina, and Mary; and

WHEREAS, In her youth, Helena Finka helped her family build one of the wealthiest farms in their community with rich orchards, vast wheat fields and lots of healthy farm animals; at age 13, her family was taken by force to the Sredmiozichna Rehabilitation Camp in Northern Siberia, where she spent 18 months in captivity; in 1942, she fled the prison camp with her family to Jerusalem, via Latvia, Uzbekistan, and Iran; and

WHEREAS, Helena Finka married Rev. Michael Christian Khayat in 1947; they traveled to Zion in 1951, via Jordan and England, to begin a new life in America for themselves and their family; after being married to Michael for 25 years, she married Stanley Finka in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Helena Finka was a lifelong parishioner of Christian Catholic Church and an active member in the community; she was highly successful in real estate and home construction for more than 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Helena Finka was preceded in death by her grandchildren, James Michael Khayat and Marshall Michael Khayat; her parents; and two brothers; and

WHEREAS, Helena Finka is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Stanley; her children, Jeanette Donahue, Miranda Reeder, Christian Khayat, Mary Bennett, Lenny Khayat, and Mark Khayat and their spouses; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Helena Khayat Finka, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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