SR0150 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0150 LRB097 11367 KXB 53612 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Katharine W. Hoffman of Arlington Heights, who passed away on March 24, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was born on September 13, 1954, in Ocala, Florida, to Randolph St. George and Eleanor Hummel Walker; she grew up on Long Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, As a young girl, she learned to play the piano, was a disciplined student, and always wanted to become a teacher; she attended the University of Miami in Florida, where she soon met Dick, the love of her life; after graduating in 1976, the two married and lived in Florida, where Kathy taught middle school math; and

WHEREAS, Kathy and Dick moved to Arlington Heights in 1979, and raised two sons, Mike and Steve, with unfading love and support; Kathy inspired Steve to play the piano, challenged Mike on the golf course, and was Dick's "admiral" when boating on Lake Michigan; and

WHEREAS, She loved to teach; from teaching her stuffed animals to read and write as a little girl to earning "Teacher of the Year" at Safety Harbor Middle School, one of Kathy's driving passions in life was helping kids learn; she also loved music, enjoyed musical theater, her iPod playlists, and most of all, the feelings she found when playing her piano; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Duffy Walker; and

WHEREAS, Katharine Hoffman is survived by her husband of 35 years, Dick; and her two sons, Mike and Steve; 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 Katharine Hoffman; and be it further

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