SR0123 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0123 LRB097 11211 KXB 53004 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the passing of Dolores Elizabeth Howard of Chicago, who passed away on February 11, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Dolores Elizabeth Howard was born on May 29, 1930, as Dolores Batiest in New Orleans, Louisiana; she was born to Mary (formerly Mary McDonald) and Arthur Batiest, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, She was baptized on August 3, 1946 at St. Ignatius Chapel in New Orleans; she was confirmed on March 30, 1948 in the Church of the Holy Ghost in New Orleans; she attended and graduated from Thomy Lafon School; she enrolled in the eighth grade at Hoffman Junior High School, and later transferred to McDonogh 35 High School to complete a college preparatory program and graduated in 1948; and

WHEREAS, She later moved to Chicago to visit with relatives and to improve her career opportunities; she married the late Robert Frank Howard from Gonzalez, Louisiana, and they had three children: Michelle, Felicia, and David; in 1965, she decided to participate in the Manpower Development Training Program to pursue a course of study that would lead her to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); after completing the course of study in 1967, and working as an LPN for nearly a decade, she enrolled in Kennedy-King City College in 1975 to pursue an associate's degree in nursing, and completed her course of study in 1977; and

WHEREAS, During her years as a nurse, she helped patients at Cook County Hospital, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke Hospital, Metro Home Health Care, and Jackson Park Hospital; she retired from the Social Security Administration with the title of Occupational Health Nurse, where she worked from 1984 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, She earned her bachelors degree from Chicago State University in 1994 at the age of 64, also making the Dean's List; and

WHEREAS, She received an award from the Social Security Administration for Performance in 1990; and

WHEREAS, She was a fantastic cook, and her renowned gumbo was savored by many relatives and friends; she was able to visit the Vatican, tour Jerusalem, and visit other countries; she was a member of St. Sabina Church for more than three decades, and she served as a Minister of Care; she was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver and was an active member of the Thursday Morning Bible Study; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her brothers, Alfred, Samuel, and Arthur Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Dolores Howard is survived by her children, Michelle Rachel Howard-Vital, Felicia Marie Howard Spalding, and David John Howard; her granddaughter, Madelyn Gennee Vital; her sons-in-law, Geri R. Vital and Brad DeWitt Spalding; and her numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Dolores Howard; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dolores Howard as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.