SR1519 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1519 LRB101 22974 LAW 74080 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Senator and Carlinville Mayor Deanna Demuzio, who passed away on October 20, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio was born in St. Louis, Missouri to John and Virginia (Fuess) Clemonds on February 23, 1943; she was raised on her family farm in Gillespie; she graduated from Gillespie High School in 1961; she married Vince Demuzio on June 28, 1962, and he preceded her in death on April 27, 2004; she attended the Patricia Stevens Modeling School in St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio operated her own bridal shop called The Inside Story, where she helped make the wedding dreams of brides come true; finding her niche in serving others, she went to work as a curriculum specialist at Lewis and Clark Community College; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio was appointed to serve as the Illinois State Senator for the 49th District upon the passing of her husband in 2004; she was elected to her first term in November 2004; during her tenure, she focused on issues close to her heart and was proud of her contributions to education and healthcare; she was dedicated to improving education and developing education policy in Illinois; she championed mentoring programs for principals and preschool education; she created sufficient funding for local schools; she made it a priority to bring better healthcare opportunities to rural and under-serviced areas of the State; she received many awards and accolades in recognition of her work through the years; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio ran for mayor of Carlinville in May 2013 and was elected; while acting as mayor, she served as a board trustee for Blackburn College and as a member of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, the Illinois Community Care Connection, the Carlinville Chamber of Commerce, the Carlinville Christmas Market, and the Municipal League's Legislative Committee; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio will be remembered for her dedication to and love for her family, friends, faith, and community; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Bradley Demuzio; her parents; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bernadette and David Hasquin; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Demuzio is survived by her daughter, Stephanie (Patrick) Blair; her grandchildren, Blake (Mallory) Demuzio, Brooke (Michael) Davis, Tristan Blair, and Gillian Blair; her great-grandchildren, Cal Demuzio, Olivia Davis, and Reagan Davis; her sisters-in-law, Marlene Demuzio, Catherine (Pete) Visintin, and Donna (Jim) Burke; and her aunt, Jackie Klaus; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former Illinois State Senator and Carlinville Mayor Deanna Demuzio 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 Deanna Demuzio as an expression of our deepest sympathy.