SR0631 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0631 LRB102 21853 LAW 30973 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bernadette G. Nolan of Savannah, Georgia, formerly of Springfield, who passed away on October 13, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan was born to Ernest "E.G." and Katherine "Katie" Gagnon in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on December 16, 1929; she had fond memories of Rhode Island, where she played on the beach with her brother Bobby in what is now Colt State Park in Bristol; her family moved to the Ozone Park area of New York when she was in middle school; she later married Brian Nolan; together, they settled in Springfield, where they established a medical practice and raised five children; they retired to Savannah, Georgia in 1990, and he preceded her in death on June 21, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan was known for bringing an exceptional level of determination to every endeavor; she became an active golfer in Springfield, and she was named Springfield City Champion once and Illini Country Club Champion twice; she took up equestrian showing and jumping in her late 30s and early 40s, and she fostered a love for the sport in her daughter Sarah; and

WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan was actively engaged in the Springfield and Savannah communities and was a tireless fundraiser for charitable causes; she was a member of the Springfield Art Association, where she worked as chairman of the Art Fair in 1971; she worked at the inception and founding of Springboard, which later became the Springfield Area Arts Council, and she led the organization from 1978 to 1980; she was instrumental in securing the commitment of then-Governor Jim Thompson to tour the Dana-Thomas House when it was still owned by Thomas Publishing and at risk of being sold to private parties and dismantled, and that tour solidified Governor Thompson's pledge towards preserving the Frank Lloyd Wright prairie style masterpiece for the public; she was also appointed to the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) by Governor Thompson, advocating for Illinois arts and artists; she appeared as a member of the IAC before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee in the summer of 1985, where she testified with actor Tony Randall on the importance of maintaining the business tax deduction for supporting art programs due to it being in danger of elimination by Congress; while in Georgia, she was a member of the local Savannah Rotary and volunteered to assist in the 1996 Summer Olympic sailing events; and

WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan consistently worked to help her community become a better place in which to live; her love of the arts and dedication to volunteerism are legacies her children will endeavor to maintain; and

WHEREAS, Bernadette Nolan is survived by her children, Jane Denes (John Blythe), Michael Nolan (Kim Wylie), Maude (Phil) Brezinski, Sarah (Paul) Gary, and John Nolan (Lory Yates); her grandchildren, Katie, Bela, Annie, Elizabeth, Maggie, Matthew, Nolan, and Abigail; and her five great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bernadette G. Nolan 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 Bernadette Nolan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.