SR1311 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1311 LRB099 15684 MST 39979 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dorothy Marie Ralston of Waukegan, who passed away on November 19, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy Ralston was born in Waukegan on May 11, 1926 to John and Mary (nee Modic) Gabrosek and remained a life-long resident; she married Robert Theodore Ralston on September 22, 1951 at Mother of God Church in Waukegan; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy Ralston started work in the insurance department at Abbott Laboratories the day after her high school graduation from Waukegan Township High School; she also worked at Victory Memorial Hospital and was later employed as a unit secretary at St. Therese Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy Ralston enjoyed bowling and attending dances, especially the ones at Great Lakes Naval Base; while at Abbott, she and her sister, Juliette, were in the Abbott Spring Shows and the Abbott Kitchen Band; later, she and her husband started square dancing, along with their daughter, Robin; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy Ralston was a life-long member of the Slovenian National Benefit Society and the S.N.P.J. Sloga Lodge 14 in Waukegan, where, during her youth, she was part of the Jolly Juveniles Circle and later served on the board for several years; she was also a member of the Slovenic National Home, the Bishop Baraga Association, and the Slovenian Cultural Center in Lemont; she was a member of Mother of God Church, Immaculate Conception Church, and lastly, St. Dismas Church, all located in Waukegan; at Mother of God, she was a member of the Christian Mother's Sodality, at Immaculate Conception she belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society, and at St. Dismas she was in the St. Dismas Women's Club; she also belonged to the Catholic Women's Club of Lake County for several years and became a life member; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy Ralston was preceded in death by her daughter, Robin; her parents, John and Mary Gabrosek; and her 5 sisters, Sophie (Eugene) Hooker, Jeanne (Robert) Jenkins, MaryAnn (James) McNeely, Tillie (Edward) Tolson, and Juliette (Robert) McCann; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy Ralston is survived by her husband, Robert; her daughters, Yvonne Boyer, Doreen (Wesley) Reeves, and Loretta (Charles) Swingle; her grandchildren, Bridget, Ben, and Roxanne Boyer, Erin Reeves, Mary (Craig) Nelson, Jinah (Chris) Morris, and Keith Swingle; her great-granddaughter, Lexi Morris; and many nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dorothy Marie Ralston, 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 Dorothy Ralston as an expression of our deepest sympathy.