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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson of Urbana,
4who passed away on February 2, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was born in Champaign to Joseph
6Leo and Hattie Virginia (Thompson) Hassell on October 6, 1940;
7she graduated from Champaign High School, now Central High
8School, on June 5, 1958; immediately following graduation, she
9began working in the Office of Admissions and Records at the
10University of Illinois; she retired as assistant to the
11director of admissions in 1995; in 1997, she returned to the
12University of Illinois to work part time for the director of
13development in the School of Social Work, where she remained
14until 2004; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was instrumental in the
16integration of Urbana Schools, the first in the State of
17Illinois; she served on and was the chair of the City of Urbana
18Human Relations Commission; she served at Bethel African
19Methodist Episcopal Church with her husband for 53 years; she
20returned to her childhood church, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist
21Church, three years ago; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was preceded in death by her

 

 

SR0117- 2 -LRB101 10959 ALS 56135 r

1parents; her sister, Joan Hassell Alexander; and two of her
2nephews, Brian A. and Kerry L. Alexander; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson is survived by her husband of 59
4years, Carlos; her children, Carlos Franklin (Mae Nunnery)
5Donaldson Jr., Carletta Jo Donaldson, and Dennis Keith (Denise
6Stanley) Donaldson; her grandchildren, Ryan Carlos, Blake
7Donaldson, Chad (Kathy Boetcher) Pellum, Amber (Justin)
8Duncan, and Kyle Pellum; her brothers, Joseph L. and Charles E.
9(Betty J. Lewis) Hassell; and her many nieces, nephews, and
10cousins; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson and extend our sincere
14condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
15her; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Willeta Donaldson as an expression
18of our deepest sympathy.