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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Barbara Alexander Mullarkey, who passed
4away on April 15, 2020 at the age of 84; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey was born on August 1, 1935 in
6Oak Park to Olive (Kennedy) and Benjamin Alexander; she
7graduated from Ascension School in 1949, Trinity High School in
81953, and Rosary College (now Dominican University) in 1957;
9her Trinity and Rosary friendships lasted throughout her
10lifetime and were highlighted by cherished reunions every
11summer that spanned over 60 years; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey worked at Commonwealth Edison
13after college, demonstrating new-era electric appliances at a
14time when women were just starting the fight for work force
15equality; a true trailblazer, she had a company car and an
16expense account; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey met her future husband, John
18Mullarkey, while at ComEd, and they planted deep roots in Oak
19Park with their five children on the infamous 200 block of
20South Elmwood with a colorful group of neighbors who would
21quickly become and remain a family; with over 100 children
22living on the block, she became the organizer of iconic block

 

 

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1parties that were the highlight of the kids' summers, including
2water balloon wars and epic block-wide scavenger hunts, as well
3as "Spooktacular" haunted houses at Halloween; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey was a fixture at Ascension
5School and St. Luke School, Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt
6Middle School, WSSRA, Oak Park-River Forest youth programs, and
7Oak Park River Forest High School, where she was one of their
8longest-tenured sports fans; she attended over 1,000 games and
9traveled over 10,000 miles, supporting her grandkids and their
10teammates and loving every minute of it; she knew the coaches,
11refs, umpires and scorekeepers and was never afraid to share
12her opinions and statistics; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey advocated for the most
14vulnerable and felt strongly about lending her voice and energy
15to causes that protected the environment; she was not afraid to
16express her perspective and concerns with presidents,
17senators, congressmen, village presidents, trustees, and state
18senators, including regular, vigorous, and enthusiastic
19communiques to one Senator Don Harmon; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey championed many nutrition,
21health, and wellness causes; her crusades involved educating
22others on ingredients and chemicals in our food, drink, and
23medicine supply, banning pesticides in parks, raising

 

 

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1awareness of the harmful effects of AstroTurf, fighting
2fracking and smart meters, advocating removal of mercury from
3vaccines, raising mental health awareness, and promoting
4alternative medicine ideologies, such as acupuncture, massage,
5and homeopathy; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey had many passions that included
7being a founding member and nutrition columnist for the
8Wednesday Journal, a journalist for Oak Park News, Conscious
9Choice, and Vegetarian Times, a proud supporter of Maryville
10Academy, Oak Leyden Developmental Services, and WSSRA, an
11advocate for prison food reform, a charter member of Handy
12Hands, a tireless Ascension School volunteer, and an OPRF
13Huskie Booster Club member; she supported IVAC, the Oak Park
14Environmental Network, and HOPP and was a Nutrivoice editor;
15she was the author of Bittersweet Aspartame: A Diet Delusion,
16and a children's book agent; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey was true to herself and all
18those she loved; if she had one wish, she would want everyone
19to be good to themselves and others, living by the Shakespeare
20quote "To thine own self be true"; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey adored her family and was
22treasured by her friends to whom she was a confidant and
23advisor; she was known for her generous spirit, warmth,

 

 

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1kindness, and inquisitive soul, and her true legacy is her 11
2grandchildren whom she considered her proudest
3accomplishments; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey was preceded in death by John T.
5Mullarkey, and her sisters, Elizabeth Alexander, Lorraine
6(Bob) Carpenter, Mary Clare, and Regina Alexander; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Barbara Mullarkey is survived by her devoted
8children, John Patrick, Ellen (Scott) Nelson, Daniel (Lauren
9Sherman), Karen (Marty) Kerrins, and Ann (Daniel) Ganschow; her
10grandchildren, Kiley, Allie, Maeve, Grace, Johnny, Riley,
11Keegan, Regan, Patrick, Connor, and Declan; her many nieces,
12nephews and cousins; and many friends; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Barbara Alexander Mullarkey and extend our sincere condolences
16to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be
17it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Barbara Mullarkey as an expression
20of our deepest sympathy.