SR1290 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1290 LRB103 43160 ECR 76422 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Barbara Ann (Fox) Vanek, who passed away on June 6, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek was born in Seymour, Indiana on July 14, 1943 and was the only daughter of Harry and Alice Fox; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek attended Our Lady of Grace Academy in Beech Grove, Indiana and graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 1965; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek spent two years working as a Catholic extension volunteer in Guymon, Oklahoma and, while there, became lifelong friends with Claudia Zinnanni; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek moved to Chicago, where she met the love of her life, Wayne Vanek, in 1969; she and Wayne married at Childerley Chapel in Wheeling on December 10, 1972; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek and Wayne moved to Oak Park after marrying and became active members of St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church, where they raised their children and pioneered a community, and she led the children's choir; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek served as the secretary of Longfellow School in the early 1990s before joining RUSH Medical Center as the office manager of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program; she continued her career at RUSH, becoming chief administrator of the Office of Research Compliance; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek served on the board of PCC Community Wellness Center for 18 years, helping them expand into multiple locations on Chicago's West Side, which included Illinois' first freestanding Birth Center; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek loved to cultivate community through her cooking and baking, which took the form of homemade cakes and cookies for family, friends, neighbors, and church functions; she also spent 16 years helping serve meals at a Housing Forward, formerly PADS, overnight shelter; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek's cooking and baking were shared across numerous tables and helped cultivate countless hours of laughter and deep conversation whether those tables were set for breakfast or playing cards or served as the place of theological discussions; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek is survived by her husband, Wayne; her children, Nathan, Ray (Rachel), and Seth; her daughters-in-law, Allison Vanek, Hillary Stone, and Saunia Powell; and her grandchildren, Alex Vanek and Sasha Vanek; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Barbara Ann (Fox) Vanek 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 Barbara Vanek as an expression of our deepest sympathy.