SR0952 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0952 LRB100 14817 ALS 29637 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Janet L. Smith of McHenry, who passed away on September 10, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Janet Smith was born in Woodstock to Gerald and Joan Larkin on April 3, 1952; she graduated from McHenry Community High School in 1970; she received her nursing degree from Alverno College in 1974; she married John Smith on January 24, 1975; and

WHEREAS, Janet Smith began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in the Obstetrics Department at Woodstock Memorial Hospital; she was a Certified Childbirth Educator and taught Lamaze classes for expectant mothers throughout McHenry County for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Janet Smith was involved with many charitable organizations and fundraising events, including acting as a local coordinator of mail donation campaigns for the American Cancer Society and American Heart Organization; for many years, Janet led the local "Love Lights a Tree" fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, during which she personalized Christmas ornaments, which were then placed on a tree in a prominent local business; and

WHEREAS, Janet Smith was a founding member of the Centegra Mad Hatter's Fundraising Committee, which benefitted women's health in McHenry county; she was also the leader of the design committee for the McHenry Riverwalk Foundation and selected the railings, lights, and gazebo for the Riverwalk; she also participated in numerous fundraisers for Marian Central Catholic High School; she received the distinction of becoming the first Honorary Marian Central Catholic High School Alumni; in 2009, she received the Frank E. Low Award for her lifelong community service involvement in the city of McHenry; she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); and

WHEREAS, A devout Catholic, Janet Smith was a member of St. Patrick Church, where she sang in the choir; her family fondly referred to her as "Sister Janet Mary" due to her strong faith and commitment; she was greatly admired for her strong faith, modesty, generosity, clean-living lifestyle, meticulous organization skills, and her compassion for anyone in need of help; the strongest force in her life was her love of family and friends; she cherished the many vacations she enjoyed with her family and close friends and the time spent with her family and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Janet Smith was preceded in death by her father; and her brother-in-law, Nick Hodge; and

WHEREAS, Janet Smith is survived by her husband of 42 years, John; her sons, Scott (Denise) Smith, Patrick (Lindsay) Smith, and Jonathan (Emily) Smith; her grandchildren, Amelia, Cameron, Abigail, Addison, Natalie, Kinley, and Charley; her mother, Joan Larkin; her sisters, Nancy Cook, Sally Hodge, Ann (Frank) Cuda, Julie (Tom) Sharp; her brother, Jerry (Melinda) Larkin; her aunts, Mary Durland and Mitzi Griffin; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Janet L. 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 Janet Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.