SR0260 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0260 LRB097 12166 KXB 56323 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Virginia Bell Marsh Gore, formerly of Decatur, who passed away on May 21, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was the daughter of Rev. Dr. Thomas Harley Marsh and Bertha Anderson Marsh; she married Norman J. Gore; she devoted her life to children, teaching students with physical disabilities at Gastman School; she was a kindergarten teacher/principal at Argenta-Oreana for many years, retiring at age 70; and

WHEREAS, She was recognized by the State of Illinois as an expert in early childhood education where her kindergarten was a state demonstration center; Illinois College named her as a Distinguished Alum for her work as an educator; as a member of Decatur's First Baptist Church, she served in many leadership roles including youth group advisor and ABW President; she helped form the church's pre-school program and was a member of the Builder's Class; and

WHEREAS, As a community volunteer, she held memberships in Delta Kappa Gamma, Kiwanis, Junior Welfare, Civil War Roundtable, and many other organizations; during World War II, she helped form what would later become occupational therapy services at Decatur Memorial Hospital, where she also volunteered with the Auxiliary; she served as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts, leading one troop to serve as Junior Auxiliary volunteers at the hospital; and

WHEREAS, She was well-respected for her lively intellect that made her a life-long learner; she attended Illinois College and graduated from Millikin University, where she received her Bachelors and Masters degrees; she was an international traveler, having climbed the Great Wall for the third time at age 88; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Bell Marsh Gore is survived by her daughters, Susan Ahmad (Syed) and Joan Krupa (Ted); her 7 grandchildren, Omar Ahmad (Jennifer), Sufia Fleming (William), Adham Ahmad (Stephani), Kamron Ahmad (Kirsten), Stephen Krupa (Deborah), Mark Krupa, and Matthew Krupa; her brother, John Marsh; her 8 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews; 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 Virginia Bell Marsh Gore; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Virginia Bell Marsh Gore as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.