SR0585 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0585 LRB096 18014 KXB 33386 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Eugenia Marie Pierce Vest of Godfrey, who passed away on January 11, 2010; and

WHEREAS, She was born June 8, 1926, in Virginia, Minnesota, to James and Agnes (Honsa) Pierce; she married Thomas Bruce Vest, M.D., May 7, 1959, in St. Louis; they were happily married for 50 years; and

WHEREAS, She graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in education from the University of Minnesota in 1947 and later with a bachelor's of science degree in physical therapy in 1950; she helped to rehabilitate victims of the polio epidemic in Detroit and later treated wounded soldiers at the John Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis; she pursued her passion for medicine and was one of only four women in a class of approximately 150 who graduated from the St. Louis University School of Medicine, class of 1958; and

WHEREAS, She completed a residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children's Hospital in 1961; Dr. Pierce practiced pediatrics at Labor Health Institute and at St. Louis Children's from 1961 until 2004; she was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in her hometown of Godfrey since 1964; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Agnes Pierce; and

WHEREAS, Eugenia Vest, M.D. is survived by her husband, Thomas Bruce Vest, M.D.; her son, Bruce T. Vest, M.D., his wife, Kathleen Paletta Vest, M.D., and their seven children, Trip, Amanda, Sam, Max, Mallorie, Blake, and Luke; her daughter, Jeanie M. Thompson, M.D., her husband, Ray E. Thompson III, and their two children, Ray IV and Christina; her daughter, Mary V. Mason M.D., her husband, John E. Mason, M.D., and their two children, Lauren and Patrick; and her two sisters, Lillian L. and Cecelia A. Pierce; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family, friends, and people she touched over the years, the passing of Dr. Eugenia Vest; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Eugenia Vest as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.