SR2030 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2030 LRB099 22215 GRL 49584 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Darlene S. Fiske of Woodstock, who passed away on June 1, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Darlene Fiske was born on November 4, 1929 in Chicago; her parents were Arthur E. and Alma Sharp; she married Kenneth V. Fiske in 1954; and

WHEREAS, Darlene Fiske graduated from Northwestern University, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and the Mortar Board; she also pursued a master's degree in Library Science at the University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Darlene Fiske was a homemaker and volunteer; she was a founder of the McHenry County Audubon Society and the Woodstock Fine Arts Association; she was a key organizer in the restoration of the Woodstock Opera House; she was a renowned birder and her bird identification ability was unparalleled; she traveled the world adding birds to her Life List and was a member of the Governor's Committee on Endangered Species; she and her husband also worked with the Hawaii Nature Conservancy, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Hawaii, and the Ding Darling Nature Preserve on Sanibel Island; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her marriage, Darlene Fiske had a successful career in television production with NBC Chicago, which included shows such as Zoo Parade (from the Lincoln Park Zoo), Wild Kingdom, and Mr. Wizard; and

WHEREAS, Darlene Fiske loved music, especially opera, and was a longtime subscriber to the Lyric Opera of Chicago; she also sang with the Woodstock Fine Arts Chorale and was a founder and active member of Woodstock's Mast House folk music circle; and

WHEREAS, Darlene Fiske was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William Sharp; and

WHEREAS, Darlene Fiske is survived by her husband, Kenneth; her daughters, Diana (David) Wilson, Jennifer Fiske, and Nancy (Ron) Readel; her grandchildren, Matthew (Kate) Wilson and Timothy (Nina Beck) Wilson; her great-grandchildren, Elliot and Nora Wilson; her twin brother, Donald Sharp; and her devoted cat, Serena; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Darlene S. Fiske; and be it further

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