SR0512 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0512 LRB094 15053 AJO 50190 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Louise Higgins, age 86, of Chicago, on October 6, 2005; and

WHEREAS, She was born Louise Young on July 19, 1919, in Knoxville, Alabama, to James and Gertrude Young; she was the 5th child of 10 children; at 14, she moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she attended Industrial High School; after high school, she worked several jobs, including insurance salesperson for Protective Insurance Company; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, Louise moved to Robbins, Illinois, and a year later, she moved to Chicago; she received a food management certificate from Olive Harvey College; Louise worked as a waitress, but then she advanced into a management position; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, Louise and her cousin Eloise Cochran opened the White Owl Restaurant, which they operated for 21 years, until deciding to retire in 1986; later, she worked for Helping Care and took care of homebound patients for 8 years; and

WHEREAS, Louise became a member of the Our Lady of Solace Catholic Church in 1973; later, as several Catholic churches merged, she became an active member of St. Benedict the African Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir and volunteered in many parish activities, up to the time of her death; and

WHEREAS, Everyone in her family affectionately called her "A'nt Lou" and loved to see her at family gatherings; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three sisters, Vordie Smith, Classie Eaves, and Mary Campbell; and three brothers, Sylvester Young, George Young, and Eugene Young; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Louise Higgins will be felt by all who knew and loved her, especially her son and his wife, Willie and Norma May; two grandchildren, Kristian (Paul) and Karen; her great-grandson, Myles; her sister, Anna Weatherspoon, two brothers, Jimmy (Jean) Young and Dock (Charlotte) Young; her first cousin, Eloise Cochran; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends; therefore, be it

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

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