Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0447

SR0447 LRB104 15570 LAW 28736 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Martha "Marty" Heindel Tardy, who passed away on May 28, 2025 at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy was born to Alice Pearsall Heindel and John Harold Heindel in Chicago on October 28, 1934; she was raised in River Forest and graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1952, being voted most beautiful in her class; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy earned a degree in sociology at Indiana University in 1956, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, becoming an active alumna for years to come; during her studies, she met her future husband, M. Eugene "Gene" Tardy Jr., and they married in 1957; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy worked for Eli Lilly for a few years while her husband, Gene, was in medical school before working as a mother and a volunteer; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy was committed to community service, serving as a member of Infant Welfare Society Circle 31, past president of the OP-RF Day Nursery, campaign chair and a board member of the Community Chest, a Ravinia board member, and a member of the board of directors of the Oak Park Trust & Savings Bank; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy served on several committees at Indiana University in more recent years, including as a member of the Executive Dean's Advisory Board of the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the Alumni Board of the College of Arts and Sciences, and a founding member of both the Women's Philanthropy Leadership Council and the Women's Colloquium Steering Committee; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy received the inaugural Order of Merit Award from Indiana University in 2010, where she expressed her belief that women have the intellectual prowess and economic stability to participate in philanthropic discussions and therefore should have a seat at the table when discussing philanthropy; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy advocated for health and sustainability in the environment, specifically in Culver, Indiana, where she was a past treasurer and campaign chair of the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy continued her community service at her winter home in Naples, Florida, where she served as condominium association president for many years, sat on the Habitat for Humanity Selection Committee and chaired its English as a Second Language program, was a valued member of the Greater Naples Leadership Program Class XI, and sat on both the Scholarship and Audubon Committees at Royal Poinciana; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy was a dedicated lifelong learner and a steadfast defender of those in need who thrived in her roles as teacher, financial advisor, psychologist, chef, maid, seamstress, party planner, and chief organizer; and

WHEREAS, Martha Tardy is survived by her husband of 68 years, Gene; her daughters, Sallie Jo (Chap) Mitzell, Karen Tardy, and Elizabeth (Ron) Holloway; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Kemmie Mitzell, Katie (Kevin) Fagan, James and Jack Fagan, Ben (Shaina Duecaster) Brown, Austin and Mackenzie Brown, Alex (Nina Shriam) Brown, Channing (Bella Valentini) Mitzell, Hannah (Josh) Kaegi, and Sam (Bailey Poplin) Holloway; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Martha "Marty" Heindel Tardy 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 Martha Tardy as an expression of our deepest sympathy.