SR1079 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1079 LRB102 28127 MST 39931 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Helen Kay Jahn of Champaign, who passed away on June 12, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn was born in Springfield to Lloyd and Elizabeth Woods Hosler on December 11, 1942; she graduated from Cahokia High School and completed secretarial school at Miss Hickey's Secretarial School in St. Louis; she later attended Parkland College; she married Francis J. "Jerry" at Faith Methodist Church in Cahokia on August 31, 1963; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn was the organist and choir director at Faith Methodist Church in Cahokia prior to her marriage; after moving to Champaign-Urbana she was a member of the choir at Wesley Methodist Church in Urbana, where she was a soloist and member of the choir for many years; her love of music led her to become active in the Guild of the Champaign Urbana Symphony; she served on the board for many years, as president for two terms and as chair of the Ways and Means Committee for many years; she was active in organizing and executing House Walks, In Good Taste parties, and other fundraising activities for the guild; as a result of her tireless efforts on behalf of the guild and C-U Symphony Orchestra, she received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn joined Faith United Methodist Church in 1971 and was active in various activities and church groups; she was a member and president of the Kathryn Wood Circle, member and president of the United Methodist Women's Group at Faith, member of the board of trustees, and a long time chairperson of the Worship Committee; she later became involved in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference United Methodist Women and served two terms as president of the Iroquois District UMW; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn served on the board of directors of Cunningham Children's Home for a total of 16 years and served two terms as president; after her board service, she continued to volunteer at Cunningham, helping with various fundraising activities; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn played tennis, golf, and snow skied into her mid-70s; she played bridge in several different groups and enjoyed playing and teaching others to play cribbage; she was an ardent Illini fan and attended football and basketball games since moving to Champaign-Urbana; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and never missed an opportunity to follow her children's and grandchildren's school and sporting events; she was a Cub Scout leader, room mother, and co-president of the Bottenfield School PTA; she spent her entire life serving others, sharing her beautiful smile and showing kindness to all she encountered; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn was preceded in death by her parents; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jahn is survived by her husband, Jerry; her son, Michael Jahn; her daughter, Amy (Ed) Dyson; her grandchildren, Stephen and Marybeth Dyson; her sister, Susan (Alain) Lamoureux; her sister-in-law, Janet Jahn; her brother-in-law, Larry (Gloria) Jahn; four nieces; three great-nephews; two great-nieces; and her beloved West Highland Terrier, Duffy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Helen Kay Jahn 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 Helen Jahn as an expression of our deepest sympathy.