SR0703 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0703 LRB101 13319 ALS 62456 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Diane Grace Zimmer Fascione of Oak Park, who passed away on April 16, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Diane Fascione was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Ralph and Ina Orqvist Zimmer, who instilled in Diane and her brother their pride in their Finnish heritage; and

WHEREAS, Diane Fascione loved music and was an extremely talented singer; she used this talent in the choir at the First United Church of Oak Park and the Encore Chorale; she was also an art enthusiast, as well as a talented actress and teacher; she had a great passion for theater and painting, which she imparted to her children and the students she taught; and

WHEREAS, Diane Fascione met her husband, Chris, in the back of a taxi in January 1985, as they both waited with the director, the driver of the cab, for the theatre to be opened for the rehearsal of a play in which they were both cast; the script was "not very good" but led to a partnership bonded by their shared love of laughter, The Princess Bride, and vanilla malts; and

WHEREAS, Diane Fascione was a leader in her community, the welcome committee and social fabric and organizer of her 500 and 600 block Woodbine family, and an advocate for the underdog; she was known as Diane "Glimmer of Hope" Zimmer to many, as she possessed an innate sense of citizenship and sought truth and equality for all; she worked passionately for peace and justice in the area, hosting postcard-writing parties for Democratic candidates and causes in which she believed; she donated her time and talent to many causes, including animal rescue and nature conservation; she was the author of a regular voting guide to judicial vacancies in the area and the coordinator of the local chapter of POCHA, a support group and resource for parents of children with allergies; and

WHEREAS, Diane Fascione made meaning out of everything; she strived to seek anything that would inspire awe and would point people toward life's meaning; she learned about the game of baseball so that she could bond with her husband and, later, her sons; she embraced National Independent Bookstore Day because it involved some of her favorite activities, reading, walking, and hugging; she became another sister to her sisters-in-law and was particularly supportive during their mother's battle with Parkinson's disease; and

WHEREAS, Diane Fascione is survived by her husband, Chris; her sons, Nick and Andrew; her brother, Matt; her sisters-in-law, Secky and Nina; and many nieces, nephews, 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 Diane Grace Zimmer Fascione 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 Diane Fascione as an expression of our deepest sympathy.