SR0152 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0152 LRB094 11981 CSA 44912 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Mary Louise Taylor, a lifelong resident of Benton, on April 6, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Taylor was born August 7, 1914, in Benton, the daughter of Charles and Rosa (Calcaterra) De Mattei; she married Vernon Leo Taylor in 1934; and

WHEREAS, She worked as a caseworker at the Benton Township office from 1961 to 1993; and

WHEREAS, She was recently honored by the Franklin Hospital Board after 50 years of service as a hospital auxiliary volunteer by having the helipad at the hospital named in her honor; and

WHEREAS, Known not only in Benton and Franklin County, she was recognized throughout the region for her volunteer work with the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Franklin Hospital Auxiliary, the Benton American Legion Auxiliary, Benton Teen Town, the Benton Community Meals Program, and the VFW Auxiliary; she was a driving force behind construction of Franklin Hospital in 1960 and then formed the auxiliary that still exists; if it hadn't been for her efforts, there would not have been a hospital auxiliary; and

WHEREAS, A devoted Roman Catholic, her association with St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benton spanned many decades; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Taylor will be remembered as a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life; she truly cared about and was interested in helping people; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her four sisters, Maria De Mattei, Josephine Erdody, Rose Gallo, and Caroline De Mattei; and one brother, Angelo De Mattei; and

WHEREAS, She is survived by one son, Charles W. Taylor (wife Joan); three grandchildren, Gine Tweedy (husband John), David Taylor (wife Marcie), and Danelle Decker (husband Shane); five great-grandchildren, Taylor Tweedy, Alexis Tweedy, Leah Taylor, Matthew Taylor, and Nicole Decker; one brother, Robert De Mattei (wife Leota); and one brother-in-law, Rudolph Erdody; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that even as her death is mourned, we give thanks for the blessing of Mary Louise Taylor's life and 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.