SR0234 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0234 LRB095 12402 KXB 37451 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Juanita Newell Cook of Dolton, who passed away on May 28, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Juanita Newell Cook was born to the union of Mason Sr. and Ethel Newell on August 7, 1928; Juanita was baptized in the Catholic Church at an early age; she attended St. Elizabeth Grammar School in Chicago, St. Frances High School in Rockcastle, West Virginia, and Loop Junior College in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Juanita met and married Wonnie Cook in 1948; Juanita was influential in the lives of many neighborhood children; "Granny" as she was affectionately known, took many of these children into her home and raised them as her own; she remained a devoted Christian throughout her life; she was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church and the Knights of Peter Claver Auxiliary at St. Benedict the African; she became an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church after moving to Dolton; and

WHEREAS, Juanita Cook was employed by the City of Chicago for 39 years; she served under the late Richard J. Daley as a manager in the Department of Human Services and as a community liaison in the Englewood area beginning in 1967; she was a committed member of the Democratic Party and served as precinct captain in the 16th Ward, volunteered in the 34th Ward, and was a member of the 9th Ward Democratic Organization; she supported Mayor William Shaw of Dolton for 25 years and Commissioner Robert Shaw in all of their political endeavors, including serving as a manager for the Village of Dolton's political organization; and

WHEREAS, Preceding her in death was her son Wonnie Jr.; her brothers Paul (Anita), Alfonso (Ella) and Michael; her grand-daughter Melanie (Shawn); her sister-in-law Flossie; and other loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Juanita Newell Cook leaves her children to cherish her loving memory: Ralph (Martha), Walter (Felicia), Cynthia (Paris Norton), Deborah (William Shaw), and Maurice (Stephanie); her sister Litesha (Bernard); her brothers, Claude (Celestine), Mason Jr. (Rose) and Maurice (Sandra); her grandchildren, Keith, Quentin, LaShanda, Metoyer, Stephen, and Wonnie; her great-grandchildren, Ashley and Asante; and a host of nieces, nephews and other special friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Juanita Newell Cook; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Juanita Newell Cook as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.