SR0837 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0837 LRB096 22353 KXB 41494 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sister Betty Drew of San Diego, California, formerly of Waukegan, who passed away on April 13, 2010; and

WHEREAS, She was born in Waukegan on July 12, 1934; she graduated from Immaculate Conception School and Holy Child High School before attending the College of St. Teresa, Winona, Minnesota; she entered the Society of the Holy Child Jesus (S.H.C.J.) in 1953; and

WHEREAS, For 23 years she taught in parochial schools in Waukegan, Chicago, and Philadelphia dioceses and in New York City; in 1979, her compassion for the poor, especially women and children, led her to Tijuana, Mexico, where she helped women of the Colonia Victoria to develop cottage industries and ministered to the social and spiritual needs of the Latino community; from 1985 to 1993 she relocated to Los Angeles to work with MEND (Meeting Each Need with Dignity) teaching English as a Second Language and later to San Fernando as a pastoral assistant founding support groups; and

WHEREAS, As a resident of Ocean Beach for the past 11 years, Sister Betty provided pro bono paralegal services at Casa Cornelia Law Center in San Diego; as she volunteered for their Domestic Violence Program, she was beloved by both clients and colleagues for her commitment, compassion, diligence, and independent spirit; and

WHEREAS, Sister Betty received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Mundelein College, Chicago, a Masters of Arts degree in Reading Specialization from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, as well as post graduate studies, Spanish Language courses, and certifications at DePaul and Fordham Universities, St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, and in the Dominican Republic and Texas; she was a Certified Representative of the Board of Immigration Appeals; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Anne Drew; her brother, the late Mayor Dan Drew; and her brother-in-law, Peter Jula; and

WHEREAS, Sister Betty Drew is survived by her sisters, Marianna Jula, Donna (Claude) Incaudo, Katie (Ron), and her sister-in-law, Peggy Drew; she was a loving aunt, niece, and cousin to generations of the Drews and Kubaitis'; therefore, be it

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

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