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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Dr. Jean A. Bowen of Elgin, who passed 
4away on September 16, 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Bowen was born in Joliet to John and Helen 
6(Olson) Gerber on February 11, 1942; she grew up in Fairbury 
7and was a graduate of Fairbury-Cropsey High School; she 
8received a Bachelor of Arts from Millikin University, a Master 
9of Arts from the University of Illinois, and a Doctor of 
10Education from Loyola University; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Dr. Bowen began her career in education at Johns 
12Hill Junior High School in Decatur; she then worked as a 
13guidance counselor at Centennial High School in Champaign; 
14after she moved to Elgin, she taught at Abbott Junior High 
15School; she then moved to Larkin High School and was a guidance 
16counselor, assistant principal, and head of the Fine Arts 
17Academy; and finally, she was the first principal of South 
18Elgin High School; she was a dedicated advocate for all of her 
19students; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Dr. Bowen was active in the community and served 
21in many organizations; she was a member of Delta Delta Delta 
22sorority, the Elgin Junior Women's Club, and the Elgin Service 
 
 
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1Board; her service also included membership on the Board of the 
2Community Crisis Center, the Board of the Elgin Sports Hall of 
3Fame, and the Board of the U-46 Educational Foundation; she was 
4a longtime member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, where 
5she was in the choir and served in many capacities; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Dr. Bowen was preceded in death by her parents; 
7and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Bowen is survived by her husband of 53 years, 
9Gary; her sons, John T. (Jori) and David A. (Christine); her 
10grandchildren, Camille, Drew, and Keira; her sister, Janet 
11(Tom) Mann; her brothers, John Gerber and Paul (Sharon) Gerber; 
12and her many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15Dr. Jean A. Bowen, and extend our sincere condolences to her 
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
17further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Dr. Bowen as an expression of our 
20deepest sympathy.