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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
Rosemary Berkel Crisp of Marion, who 
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passed away on December 1, 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp was born in Chicago to 
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Albert and Rose Berkel; she graduated from St. Mary's Hospital 
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School of Nursing in Evansville, Indiana in 1958 and from the 
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John Robert Powers Model and Finishing School in St. Louis in 
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1981; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp worked as a nurse at Marion 
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Memorial Hospital in Marion from 1958 until 1960; she married 
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Harry L. Crisp II in 1960 and focused her energies on raising a 
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family, community service, and growing the family business, 
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Pepsi MidAmerica Company, which she co-owned with her husband; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp served as a volunteer nurse 
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for the American Red Cross, Lions Club, and Girl Scouts from 
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1970 until 1985; even after she ceased practicing as a nurse in 
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the mid-1980s, she continued to renew her nursing license every 
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two years; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp was a co-founder of the 
 


 






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Southern Illinois Women's Health Conference; she also served on 
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the board of directors for the Hands of Hope clinic, which 
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offers free health care to needy families; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp served on dozens of boards, 
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foundations, and committees during her lifetime; she was a 
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Trustee of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois; she was Director of 
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the National Institute of Health, the National Institute of 
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Nursing Research in Washington, D.C., the Southeast Missouri 
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State University Foundation in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the 
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John A. Logan College Foundation in Carterville, The University 
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of Tennessee Women's Philanthropy Alliance, the Marion Civic 
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Center Foundation in Marion, the National League for Nursing in 
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New York, New York, and the Society for Advancement of Women's 
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Health Research in Washington, D.C.; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp was the recipient of many 
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awards in recognition of her lifelong devotion to improving the 
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quality of healthcare services across Southern Illinois and 
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beyond; she was honored as "Citizen of the Year" by the Greater 
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Marion Area Chamber of Commerce; the nursing facility at 
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Southeast Missouri State University was renamed the Rosemary 
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Berkel Crisp Hall of Nursing in recognition of her many 
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accomplishments; and in October 2007, she was honored by 
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Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with its 
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prestigious Inspiring Women of Achievement Award; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp was a member of the St. 
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Joseph Catholic Church in Marion; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp was preceded in death by her 
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parents, Albert and Rose Berkel; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp is survived by her husband 
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of 47 years, Harry L. Crisp II; her son, H. Lee Crisp III and 
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wife, Stacie; her daughters, Cynthia Crisp Dickens and husband, 
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Brian Keith, Cara Crisp Sims and husband, Chris, Catherine 
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Crisp Newbold and fiance, Greg Wilson, Carole Crisp Schwarm and 
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husband, Mark, and Cheryl Crisp Rabbitt and husband, Bob; her 
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brother, Jim Berkel and wife, Sue; her sisters, Pat Pulley and 
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husband, Barney, and Delores McCuan and husband, LaVerne; her 
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grandchildren, Brandee Newbold Cohlmeyer, Justin Tyler 
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Newbold, Cameron Newbold, Ryan Rabbitt, Olivia Rabbitt, Taylor 
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Rabbitt, Alexandra Rabbitt, Hunter Dickens, Harrison Dickens, 
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Hayden Dickens, Hallie Crisp, Harry L. Crisp IV, Christopher 
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Palmer Sims, Luke Sims, Jacob Schwarm, and Jeremiah Schwarm; 
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and her great-grandchild, Elaine Cohlmeyer; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rosemary Berkel Crisp will be remembered by all 
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who knew and loved her as a kind and giving person whose faith, 
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hope, and love inspired everyone she met; therefore, be it

 
 


 






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

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Rosemary Berkel Crisp as an 
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expression of our sympathy.