SR1558 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1558 LRB098 21668 MST 60520 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Wilma Lucille Smith of Anchorage, Alaska, who passed away on May 25, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Wilma Smith was born on March 20, 1925 in Wausau, Wisconsin to Otto Ihlenfeld and Ariel Cottrell; and

WHEREAS, Wilma Smith earned her high school equivalence and an associate's degree in Business Administration while in her 50s, as she had to leave school and work to help support her family during the Great Depression; she also took pride in her support of the war effort during World War II, moving to Los Angeles and becoming a skilled assembler of the precision instruments used in the American heavy bombers that helped liberate Europe; she married Harry H. Smith near the end of the war; and

WHEREAS, In the 1950s, Wilma Smith and her family relocated to Flint, Michigan, where she worked as an emergency room ward clerk at St. Joseph Hospital, then as a pediatric ward clerk at McLaren General Hospital; she also worked in a variety of service occupations and volunteered later in life, helping children and other seniors; and

WHEREAS, Wilma Smith was preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband, Harry; and

WHEREAS, "Gramma Willie", as she was lovingly known, is survived by her children, Lynnell Catherine (James H.) Hanes and Brian (Cherie) Kibble-Smith; her grandchildren, Daniel, Rachel, Sarah, Bethany, and David; her grand-nephew, Jonathan; her great-grandchildren, Krystal Everhart and Matthew Wilson; and numerous loving relatives and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Wilma Lucille Smith, 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 Wilma Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.