SR1103LRB100 15307 MST 30806 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Barbara Furlong of Oak Park, who passed 
4away on October 2, 2017, at the age of 85; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was born in Cleveland, Ohio on 
6November 28, 1931; she attended Notre Dame College in Euclid, 
7Ohio and was certified in medical technology at University 
8Hospital in Cleveland; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, After moving to Oak Park, Barbara Furlong became 
10deeply involved in her community, including decades  of 
11involvement in organizations and commissions such as the 
12Community Relations Commission, the Oak Park Housing Center, 
13the Parents' Human Relations Commission at Oak Park and River 
14Forest High School, the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus, and the 
15Village Manager Association; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong served as a village trustee from 
171989 to 1993, where she earned a reputation as an effective and 
18much appreciated leader; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was tapped to run for and won the 
20race for Oak Park Village President, due in large part, she 
21felt, to her longtime involvement in the community; she held 
 
 
SR1103- 2 -LRB100 15307 MST 30806 r

1the office from 1997 to 2001; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong's tenure as village president was 
3defined by tackling issues such as racial integration, gay 
4couple registration, and affordable housing; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong noted that economic development 
6was a top priority during her time in office and became a 
7champion of purposeful economic growth; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was described as having quiet 
9perseverance, grace, and focus; she was known to be always 
10steady and strong, which made her an effective leader; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong, after retiring from her career as 
12a medical technologist in 1992, became a dedicated volunteer 
13with the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust and  earned a 
1425-year service pin for her volunteer work with the League of 
15Women Voters; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was preceded in death by her 
17beloved husband, William R. "Bill" Furlong; and
  
 
  
18    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was the mother of Mary (Jere) 
19Mendelsohn, Thomas (Ann Williams), Timothy (Gayle), and Matt 
20(Julia) Furlong;  grandmother of Nathan and Rachel Mendelsohn, 
 
 
SR1103- 3 -LRB100 15307 MST 30806 r

1Christopher Furlong, Michael (Carmen), Rebecca (Eric) Duenke, 
2Emily, Sarah, Hannah, Peter and Jonathan Furlong, and Jayne, 
3James, and Jennifer Furlong; great-grandmother of Ian and Evan 
4Duenke; sister-in-law of Jack (Kit) Furlong; and loving aunt to 
5many; therefore, be it
  
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
8Barbara Furlong, and extend our sincere condolences to her 
9family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
10further
  
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
12presented to the family of Barbara Furlong as an expression of 
13our deepest sympathy.