SR0011 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0011 LRB094 06521 CSA 36609 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Virginia Ann Wirtz Balmes of North Chicago on December 28, 2004; and

WHEREAS, She was born December 10, 1920 in Freemont Township; and

WHEREAS, She received her teaching certification from Northern Illinois University in 1941 and taught at Wadsworth School in Wadsworth and Lindberg School in North Chicago before becoming co-owner of Balmes Florist in North Chicago that was established in 1951; and

WHEREAS, She was active in North Chicago Women's Club, Center for the Arts in North Chicago, and served on the Family Service Board; and

WHEREAS, Virginia was an active member of Queen of Peace Church (formally Holy Family) in North Chicago; and

WHEREAS, She is preceded in death by her son, Michael Balmes; her sister, Edith Marie Wirtz; and her parents, Frank and Bertha Wirtz; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Virginia Ann Wirtz Balmes has been felt by all who knew and loved her, especially her husband of 62 years, Wilfred Balmes, Sr.; her children, Kathleen Scott, Pam (the late Michael) Balmes, Jeanne Balmes, Julianne (Gary) Gehrig, Peter (Robin) Balmes, and Wilfred (Aleta) Balmes, Jr.; her grandchildren, Elizabeth (Richard) Hubbard, Jacob (Michele) Balmes, Kathryn Balmes, Ann Balmes, Peter (Traci) Gehrig, Drew Gehrig, Sara (Marc) Jackson, Keli Balmes, and P. Joseph Balmes; her great-grandchildren, Gwen Balmes, Wyatt Balmes, Aidan Jackson, Sydney Jackson, and Christian Jackson; and her sister, Frances Wannamaker; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Virginia Ann Wirtz Balmes and we extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.