SR1541 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1541 LRB100 21319 ALS 37655 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Helen Schaafsma, who passed away on March 11, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma was born in Detroit, Michigan to Miriam Cooke and Sybrant Schaafsma on February 3, 1951; she grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan; she earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Calvin College and her Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University; for most of her adult life, she lived in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma spent her working life primarily in the nonprofit and government realms; until shortly before her death, she was the Executive Director of the Illinois League of Women Voters, a position she assumed in 2013; she also worked for Illinois Citizen Action as an Administrative and Associate Program Director and for Protestants for the Common Good as Deputy Director for Policy and Program; and

WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma was an active member of Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where she served in many roles, including elder, deacon, committee chair and member, youth mission trip leader, and longtime usher; she also volunteered her time as Secretary-Treasurer of the USAction Education Fund and as a board member of Central City Housing Ventures; she was particularly interested in history and the arts; she was an avid reader; she will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her good humor, her quiet and gracious manner, and her passion and advocacy for justice and equality; and

WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma was preceded in death by her father; and

WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma is survived by her mother; her siblings, Timothy (Krista), Jane, and James (Nancy Vander Kuyl); her nieces, Allison (Chris) Thompson, Rebecca (Jason) Dozeman, Elizabeth (Justin) Ryder, and Lydia Schaafsma; her nephew, Josiah Schaafsma; her four great-nieces; her three great-nephews; her uncle; and her many cousins and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mary Helen Schaafsma and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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