SR1149 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harriet Wilson, who passed away on April 13, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson was born on September 20, 1922 in Darlaston, South Staffordshire, England; her parents were Henry and Annie May (nee Foster) Moreton; she married Stan Wilson on June 2, 1945 in Darlaston; she lived in Wonder Lake for 63 years and was a happy winter Snowbird in Sun City, Arizona; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in World War II from 1940 to 1945; she was one of the first women trained on the then-new radar detection system; while stationed on the southeast coast of England, she met her future husband; and

WHEREAS, After she was demobilized from the Auxiliary Territorial Service, Harriet Wilson came to the United States on a Canadian War Bride ship in 1946; she and her husband moved to Chicago and stayed on the weekends at the Wonder Lake boarding house of Earl and Ruth Barnard across from the Mill Inn in Wonder Lake; they later bought their home in Wonder Lake and happily lived there for 63 years; during this time, she helped her husband with the printing of the local Township News; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson was a Sunday school teacher at Nativity Lutheran Church, a room mother at Harrison School, and a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years; she also worked at the Admiral Corporation in McHenry and Science Research (SRA) in Lakemoor before retiring from Oak Industries in Crystal Lake; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson was a Lifetime Member of the Woodstock Women of the Moose Chapter 364 and a proud member and Recording Secretary of the McHenry American Legion Post #491; one of her favorite obligations as a member of the American Legion was to present the American Legion Awards each year at Harrison School; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson enjoyed knitting, sewing, and gardening; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 63 years, Stan; an infant son, Paul; a sister, May (the late William) Pitt; and 3 brothers, Harry, Eric, and George; and

WHEREAS, Harriet Wilson is survived by a daughter, Ruth (the late Robert) Cepuder; grandchildren, Jennifer Thibault and Aaron (Jen) Cepuder, Sr.; her great-grandchildren, Samantha and Alyia Thibault, AJ (Aaron) Cepuder, Jr., and Cole and Zach Hedlund; sisters, Gladys (the late Tom) Dockery and Joan (the late Tom) Moseley; a brother, John (the late Dorothy) Moreton; a sister-in-law, Betty (the late George) Moreton; and like a sister, Ida Behling; she was also a very special 'long distance' great aunt to Valery (John) Russell, Jean (Sid) Martin, Peter (Julie) Moseley, Yvonne (John) Collins, Christopher (Jane) Moreton, Stephen (Sue) Moreton, and their families who reside in England; therefore, be it

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

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