SR0356 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0356 LRB101 12164 ALS 59765 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Abigail Ellen "Abby" Ohl of Tinley Park, who passed away on October 12, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl was born in Harvey to Dennis and Susan (Hallahan) Ohl on May 15, 1993; she was the youngest of three children; she was a proud graduate of St. George Elementary School and Victor J. Andrew High School; in grade school, she was a member of the Kindness Club, played the trumpet in the school band, and was a devoted altar server; she was a member of the girls' basketball team and the girls' volleyball team; she was a dedicated Brownie and Girl Scout and was a member of the Jr. National Honor Society; while a student at Andrew High School, she was a member of the Student Council, was crowned the Freshman Homecoming Princess, and played on the girls' tennis team and the girls' badminton team; she was a member of the cast of the high school Variety Show and the National Honor Society; she was involved as a Senior Teaching Intern, under the guidance of a Special Education teacher in an elementary school setting; during high school and college, she worked at the Flossmoor County Club, where she was a shack shop cook, a waitress at the pool, and served at weddings and special events; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a dual certification in Special Education (K-12) and Elementary Education (K-9) from Eastern Illinois University; as a student at Eastern, she completed 400 hours of field work experience before student teaching and enthusiastically participated in Best Buddies, where she was paired with an adult with special needs; she was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) and a member of the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC),where she served as president; she was eagerly involved in Special Olympics and the annual Polar Plunge; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl was a dedicated and passionate special education teacher at Grissom Middle School in Kirby School District 140; she was known as a ray of sunshine whose love, laughter, and compassion touched many lives; currently, she was a student at Olivet Nazarene University, where she was pursuing a master's degree in curriculum and instruction; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl will be forever remembered as a vibrant and dedicated educator whose warmth, creativity, and patience changed lives; as a tutor, she worked with individual students before and after school, engaging and motivating each child to reach his or her academic potential; as a Student Council sponsor, she inspired her students to contribute to their community through service and leadership, organizing many charitable fundraisers, food and clothing drives, and student social activities; and

WHEREAS, At a very early age, Abby Ohl may not have known the word "compassion," but she lived it; when she was just four years old, she walked over to her great-grandma Catherine who was having a sad day, stood in front of her, held both of her hands, and began to sing, "You Are My Sunshine"; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend; she had a beautiful soul, a zest for life, a sense of adventure, a quick wit, a compassionate nature, and a passion for snack food; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl was preceded in death by her brother, Taylor Ohl; and her grandparents, Dennis Hallahan and Ernest and Pauline Ohl; and

WHEREAS, Abby Ohl is survived by her parents, Dennis and Susan Ohl; her brother, Thomas Ohl, USMC; her grandmother, Ellen Hallahan; and her many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Abigail Ellen "Abby" Ohl and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Abby Ohl as an expression of our deepest sympathy.