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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Bernadette G. Nolan of Savannah,
4Georgia, formerly of Springfield, who passed away on October
513, 2021; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan was born to Ernest "E.G." and
7Katherine "Katie" Gagnon in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on
8December 16, 1929; she had fond memories of Rhode Island,
9where she played on the beach with her brother Bobby in what is
10now Colt State Park in Bristol; her family moved to the Ozone
11Park area of New York when she was in middle school; she later
12married Brian Nolan; together, they settled in Springfield,
13where they established a medical practice and raised five
14children; they retired to Savannah, Georgia in 1990, and he
15preceded her in death on June 21, 2001; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan was known for bringing an
17exceptional level of determination to every endeavor; she
18became an active golfer in Springfield, and she was named
19Springfield City Champion once and Illini Country Club
20Champion twice; she took up equestrian showing and jumping in
21her late 30s and early 40s, and she fostered a love for the
22sport in her daughter Sarah; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan was actively engaged in the
2Springfield and Savannah communities and was a tireless
3fundraiser for charitable causes; she was a member of the
4Springfield Art Association, where she worked as chairman of
5the Art Fair in 1971; she worked at the inception and founding
6of Springboard, which later became the Springfield Area Arts
7Council, and she led the organization from 1978 to 1980; she
8was instrumental in securing the commitment of then-Governor
9Jim Thompson to tour the Dana-Thomas House when it was still
10owned by Thomas Publishing and at risk of being sold to private
11parties and dismantled, and that tour solidified Governor
12Thompson's pledge towards preserving the Frank Lloyd Wright
13prairie style masterpiece for the public; she was also
14appointed to the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) by Governor
15Thompson, advocating for Illinois arts and artists; she
16appeared as a member of the IAC before the U.S. House of
17Representatives Ways and Means Committee in the summer of
181985, where she testified with actor Tony Randall on the
19importance of maintaining the business tax deduction for
20supporting art programs due to it being in danger of
21elimination by Congress; while in Georgia, she was a member of
22the local Savannah Rotary and volunteered to assist in the
231996 Summer Olympic sailing events; and
 
24    WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan consistently worked to help her
25community become a better place in which to live; her love of

 

 

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1the arts and dedication to volunteerism are legacies her
2children will endeavor to maintain; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan is survived by her children,
4Jane Denes (John Blythe), Michael Nolan (Kim Wylie), Maude
5(Phil) Brezinski, Sarah (Paul) Gary, and John Nolan (Lory
6Yates); her grandchildren, Katie, Bela, Annie, Elizabeth,
7Maggie, Matthew, Nolan, and Abigail; and her five
8great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
11Bernadette G. Nolan and extend our sincere condolences to her
12family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the family of Bernadette Nolan as an expression
16of our deepest sympathy.