SR0350 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0350 LRB102 18144 MST 25517 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Janet Denise Kelly, who passed away on April 11, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly was born in Chicago to Rev. Robert and Marie Kelly on October 3, 1955; she committed to her faith at an early age and later joined Cathedral Missionary Baptist Church; she grew up singing the gospel in the church choir and alongside her gifted sisters, known as The Kelly Sisters; she attended John Farren Elementary School and Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Upper Grade Center; in 1973, she graduated from Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable High School, where she was active in numerous clubs and especially enjoyed playing the clarinet in the band and being a member of the cheerleading and pom-pom squads; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly received her Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Services in 1979 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where she became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 1974; she received her Master of Social Work from Chicago State University in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly was instrumental in choreographing some of Sigma's most memorable on-campus performances at SIU from 1975 to 1978; she and four college friends entered Kappa Karnival's annual talent show and called themselves Sax Fifth Avenue; upon returning home to Chicago, she continued singing and established a group known as The Goddesses, which performed at local venues across the city; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly loved working with children, especially as the morning and after-school coordinator; her positions included ABJ Community Services (Licensing and Permanency Specialist, Case Manager), Metropolitan Family Services (Resource/Program Coordinator, Practitioner), and Catholic Charities & Heartland Human Services (Case Manager); she mentored, produced, and directed many musicals and plays to raise funds for several agencies over the years; she especially enjoyed producing the adaptation of The Wiz; she retired from the social services field in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly spread the gospel across the airwaves on WVON radio station every Sunday at 7 p.m. for 25 years with the Mother Meatchem Radio Choir; she sang background vocals for recording artists and was a trained pianist and played the clarinet; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly's hobbies included playing tennis, interior decorating, and making jewelry; she worked part time for Park Lane Jewelry and was an avid collector of art; for several years she was an art consultant for Artistic Impressions; her ultimate hobby was shopping, and QVC and HSN were two of her favorite channels; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly thoughtfulness held no bounds when it came to family; if a family member was in need, she would forsake her wants to make sure that their needs were met; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Renee Kelly; and

WHEREAS, Janet Kelly is survived by her daughter, Janea Smith; her grandson, Jamari White; her sisters, Diane (Lawrence) Kent and Rev. Debra Kelly; her brother, Bernard Kelly; her half-brother, Ricky (Barbara) Kelly; her half-sister, Linda Kelly; her cousin, Bill (Dee Dee) Driver; her nephews, Juan Gordon, Corey Criss Sr. (Tammy), Doniel Kelly (godson), and Darren Kelly; her nieces, Keena (Norris) Robinson and Robin Thacker; her great-nieces and nephews; her best friend, Sandra R. Kelly; her special friend, Arnold "Ernie" McBlackwell; her close friend, Gloria Styles; and numerous friends that she loved dearly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Janet Denise Kelly 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 Janet Kelly as an expression of our deepest sympathy.