SR0535 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Madonna Wallace Weldon, who passed away on January 11, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Madonna Weldon was born and raised in Chicago, the daughter of the late William Dennis and Lorita, nee Meegan, Wallace; she was a 1972 graduate of Mother McAuley High School; she received her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1976 from St. Theresa's College in Winona, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, Madonna Weldon began her nursing career at Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago, where she worked until she married her husband, Bill, in 1978; after Mr. and Mrs. Weldon moved to New York City, Mrs. Weldon worked as a nurse in a doctor's office in Manhattan; she left her job when she started to have her children; the family later moved back to the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, Madonna Weldon devoted much of her time as a mentor to inner-city children, mentoring four girls who were Gallagher Scholars through the Big Shoulders Fund, a Chicago agency that has donated $150 million to Chicago's Catholic schools; she also started a program that linked the students of Willard Elementary School in River Forest with area senior citizens in order to help them experience intergenerational connections; her Big Hearts, Little Hands program, a Valentine's Day event where seniors from the community are brought to the school for a tea, remains a highlight for the students; and

WHEREAS, Madonna Weldon is survived by her husband, Bill; her daughters, Erin, Elizabeth, and Caelan; her sons, Bill and Conor; her sisters, Gail Goggin, Lesa Meyer, and Julie Hummel; her brothers, Michael Wallace and Tony Wallace; her aunt, Sister Elizabeth Meegan, O.P.; and her many nieces and nephews; 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 Madonna Weldon; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Madonna Weldon as an expression of our sympathy.