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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Barbara Theresa "BeBe" Boutte, who passed
4away on July 17, 2017; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte was born in Alexandria, Louisiana
6to Murrell and Blanche Evangeline Toussaint Gonzaque on August
75, 1930; she attended elementary school in New Orleans and
8Alexandria and high school in Opelousas; she earned a degree in
9music education from Xavier University (XULA), where she sang
10in operas and performed nationally in the choir; she married
11Alvin Boutte during her senior year; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte began teaching at St. James
13Catholic High School in Alexandria when her husband was away at
14Officers Training School with the United States Army; they
15spent time stationed in California and Kansas; and
 
16    WHEREAS, After arriving in Chicago, Barbara Boutte and her
17husband launched their successful drug store chain,
18Independent Drug Stores, Inc.; she was a strong supporter of
19her husband as he moved from the drug store business and became
20president and CEO of Independence Bank; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte and her husband were ardent

 

 

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1supporters of Chicago community and cultural organizations and
2especially the civil rights movement; they often hosted
3meetings at their home with civil rights and civic leaders; one
4of her final public outings was the dedication of the Rev. Dr.
5Martin Luther King Jr. Living Memorial in Marquette Park; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte was a member of St. Dorothy Parish
7and then St. Clotilde Parish; she served on the school board,
8the leadership committee, the Women's Club, and chaired several
9church fundraisers; she sang in the choir, playing both the
10organ and piano for Mass, and performed at other church
11functions; for years, she served on the National Committee for
12the Sainthood of now St. Katherine Drexel, the matriarch of
13Xavier University of Louisiana; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte held leadership roles in the
15Pharmacist's Women's Auxiliary, Chicago State University
16TAGgers, the March of Dimes, Good Samaritans, the Provident
17Women's Auxiliary of Provident Hospital of Cook County, the
18Kennedy-King Choir, the Proscenium Players, the United Negro
19College Fund's Women's Division, the American Association of
20University Women, the Lyric Opera-Bravo Chapter, the XULA
21Alumni Association, the Holy Ghost Catholic School Alumni
22Association, and the Chicago Federation of Musicians; she was
23instrumental in raising funds to build the new Provident
24Hospital, the 53rd Street YMCA, and she worked tirelessly

 

 

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1year-round to ensure the success of the United Negro College
2Fund's Annual Ebony Fashion Show; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte was affectionately known as
4"Mother Too" and "Grand MaMa" to many; she was a phenomenal
5bridge player and belonged to several clubs for almost 60
6years: Queen of Diamonds, Tally-Up, Chi Burbs, Grand Slam
7Ma'ams, the 87th Street Bridge Club, and several others; she
8enjoyed hosting an annual New Year's soiree, a Halloween gala,
9bridge parties, and political fundraisers; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte was known for her style, beauty,
11talent, and caring heart; she was also known for her red beans
12and rice, smothered okra, jambalaya, and gumbo; her recipes
13were so acclaimed that they were published in The Chicago
14Defender and praised by all who were lucky enough to partake,
15including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the members of the
16Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Operation
17Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, the Young Democrats, and many
18others; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Barbara Boutte is survived by her children, Janice
20Boutte, Jeanette (Floyd) Simpson, Gregory Boutte, and Alvin
21Jr.; her grandchildren, Dennis, Gregory (Rachel), Phillip
22(Shay), Floyd III, Patrice, Crystal, and Sherida; her
23great-grandchildren, Darius, Lauren, Dennis, Denise, and

 

 

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1Phillip III; her sister-in-law, Irma (Murrell Louis) Hayes
2Gonzaque; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and
3her special and devoted friends known as "BeBe's Kids";
4therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
7Barbara Theresa "BeBe" Boutte, and extend our sincere
8condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
9her; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Barbara Boutte as an expression of
12our deepest sympathy.