SR2144 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2144 LRB100 24088 ALS 43196 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Lee Stackhouse Gardner of Waukegan, who passed away on October 2, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Mary Gardner was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi to Bessie and Andrew Stackhouse on January 6, 1937; the eighth of 14 children, she spent her early years in Clarksdale; she committed to her faith at an early age and was baptized at Palestine Baptist Church in Clarksdale; she moved with her family to Waukegan in 1951 and, shortly after her arrival, joined the Shiloh Baptist Church; as a teenager, she loved fashion and worked at Hein's in downtown Waukegan; she married John Gardner on August 27, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Mary Gardner's desire to assist others led her to the health care field; she was a career employee at the Downy V.A. Hospital and during this time also attended the College of Lake County; before she retired, she became a Registered Nurse; and

WHEREAS, Having discovered her calling, Mary Gardner brought her healthcare experience to her church and was President of the Shiloh Baptist Church Health Unit for more than ten years; under her leadership, the Health Unit held a variety of events, including health fairs and CPR training; in addition to her health care services at Shiloh, she was also the North Shore District Director of Nurse's Unit, Vice President of the Illinois Baptist General State Nurses' Health United, and worked in the Health Ministries of the Illinois State Congress and the National Baptist Convention; she was instrumental in developing Youth Health ministries at state and local levels; she used her nursing skills to improve the community and, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the American Diabetes Association, she led the Shiloh Health Unit development of programs to increase awareness of the risk, causes, symptoms, and preventative measures for diseases plaguing African Americans; the American Heart Association honored her for her role in educating others on heart disease and strokes; and

WHEREAS, At Shiloh Baptist Church, Mary Gardner also participated in Sunday school and the jail ministry; she was active as a counselor, a member of the church choir, and a ten-year member of the Wisconsin Dell's Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Mary Gardner was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Andrew and Paul Stackhouse; and two infant siblings; and

WHEREAS, Mary Gardner is survived by her husband, John; her children, Johnny (Jackie), Patricia (Remmele), Sharon, and Dana; her special niece, Paulette Freeman; her stepdaughter, Mary Francis Peebles; her granddaughter, Courtney Gardner; her sisters, Doris Mckinley, Catherine Copeland, Lula Baldwin Merrill, Dasie Wilson, and Susie Visor; her brothers, John Stackhouse, Ben Stackhouse, Herbert (Margaret) Stackhouse, and Harry (Deborah) Stackhouse; her many nieces, nephews, and cousins; her many godchildren, including Craig Wilson, Alysha Grace, and Arius Smith; and her many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mary Lee Stackhouse Gardner 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 Gardner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.