SR0533 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0533 LRB101 12881 MST 61716 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Pearl Hitchings of Litchfield, who passed away on June 23, 2019 at the age of 104; and

WHEREAS, Mary Hitchings was born in Raymond to Roman Sr. and Lena (Oberkfell) Herman at the family farm on July 23, 1914; she married Herschel F. Hitchings at the St. Raymond parsonage on May 14, 1933; and

WHEREAS, Mary Hitchings was a domestic housekeeper and cleaned the Raymond Post Office and library; and

WHEREAS, Mary Hitchings was affectionately known as "Auntie Pearl"; she helped raise numerous children and loved children in general; even though she was never a mother of her own, she was a mother to many; she was a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church in Raymond and was active in the Altar and Rosary Society; she was the one and only Senior Queen of the Raymond 4th of July Celebration since 1986; she enjoyed playing and hosting card parties and quilting; she was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and raised chickens and sold eggs; she was a wonderful cook and was famous for her noodles and angel food cake; and

WHEREAS, Mary Hitchings was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herschel; her brothers, Roman Jr., Raymond, and Louis Herman; her sisters, Opal Wagahoff and May Herman; her niece, Rena Lou Herman; her nephews, Bob, Harold, and Kenny Wagahoff; her great-nephews, Dan and Joe Wagahoff; and her great-great-niece, Melinda Marten; and

WHEREAS, Mary Hitchings is survived by her nieces and nephews, Mary Francis "Toots" Walch, Gail (Mike) Meisner, Jack Wagahoff, Jerry (Vi) Herman, John (Cheryl) Herman, and Bob (Karen) Herman; her great-nieces, Diane Bradbury, Judy (Earl) Law, Jean (Dan) Matthews, Janet Komor, Jackie (Wade) Clay, Jennifer (Roger) Anderson, Donna Wagahoff, Marlene (Carl) Marten, Debbie Massey, Jacklyn (Jeff) Still, Debbie (Bruce) Jokisch, Julie (Bill) Malach, Dana (Mike) Prather, Amy (David) Lovelady, Kristen (Trent) Seed, Kelly (John) Klopp, Kerri (Mike) Brockmeyer, Tara (Shane) Gilpin, Katie (Gary) Dulak, Anjenete Way, and Ashleigh (Adam) Rockwell; and her great-nephews, Dale (Rhea) Wagahoff, Jim (Diane) Wagahoff, Jerry (Donna) Wagahoff, Bob (Kate) Wagahoff, Carl (Janet) Walch, Rick (Debbie) Wagahoff, Kent (Kim) Wagahoff, Randy (Tammy) Wagahoff, Tod (Megan) Meisner, Ty (Marla) Herman, Ray Clem, Matthew (Maria Gabriela) Herman, Mark (Michele) Herman, Rush Herman, Zachary Herman, Noah (Betsy) Herman, and Ben (Chelsea) Herman; 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 Mary Pearl Hitchings 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 Mary Hitchings as an expression of our deepest sympathy.