SR0341 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0341 LRB097 13754 KXB 58307 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Julia G. "Judy" Morris of Peoria, who passed away on September 26, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was born on September 7, 1933, in Galesburg to Lloyd and Mildred M. (Griggs) Gerstenberger; she married Richard "Bud" Smith on March 14, 1954 and he preceded her in death; she later married Dearl Morris on September 23, 1989, in Chillicothe; and

WHEREAS, She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951; she attended the University of Illinois, majoring in elementary education and psychology; she was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was active with the university choir and was an Illini cheerleader; she was also a longtime member of PEO, Chapter FBA; she was a member of the Chillicothe Plymouth Congregational (UCC) Church for many years, serving on the building committee from 1959 to 1962, and as a Sunday School teacher and youth group leader; she was also a member of the choir and women's fellowship; and

WHEREAS, She served on the Hillcrest Nursery School Board; she was a Girl Scout leader and trainer; she was a longtime board member of the Friendship House of Christian Service, and served on the board of directors, women's auxiliary, and helped develop the County Child Abuse Prevention Council; she was awarded the annual Love A Child award in 1988 for her work; and

WHEREAS, She and her first husband were stationed in Geneva, Switzerland, with Caterpillar for 7 years; while in Geneva, the family attended the Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was very active in and with the COSA Wives, helping newly arrived Caterpillar families adjust to their new surroundings and culture; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, she was an active member of the Friends of Clonmel, Peoria's Irish sister city; she and her husband also helped host several families from Ireland on their visits to the United States; she was a collector of international Nativity sets, displaying and sharing the collection with various churches and organizations over the years throughout the Christmas season; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Smith; her parents; and her brothers, Charles and George; and

WHEREAS, Julia Morris is survived by her husband, Dearl; her son, Ross (Linda) Smith; her daughters, Laura (Len) Berg and Cindy (Danny) Erickson; her stepson, Skip (Paula) Morris; her sister, Carolyn Evans; her 7 grandchildren; her 6 step-grandchildren; and her 2 step-great-grandchildren; 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 Julia Morris; and be it further

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