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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Marilyn F. Campbell of Georgetown, who
4passed away on September 21, 2017; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Marilyn Campbell was born in Terre Haute, Indiana
6to Carl Wesley and Elsie Fern (Watson) Campbell in March 1941;
7she graduated from Gerstmeyer High school in Terre Haute; she
8then earned a Bachelor and Master's Degree in Biology from
9Indiana State; she also completed many hours of additional
10study at Colorado State University; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Marilyn Campbell made a career of education both
12inside and outside the classroom; she first taught high school
13in Indiana; Illinois became her home when she accepted a
14faculty position at Danville Area Community College; her next
15opportunity came with the formation of the Vermilion County
16Conservation District; she was chosen to become the chief
17naturalist in 1969; she then became the Director of Education
18and Programs and created the county-wide outdoor education
19program; she advanced to become Deputy Director of the
20conservation district; she assisted in the creation of a
21prairie at Forest Glen, which was dedicated as a one-of-a-kind
22Illinois Nature Preserve in 1998; she was the face of
23conservation in Vermilion County for many people, especially

 

 

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1the school children who attended outdoor camps; and
 
2    WHEREAS, For the first few years with the district, Marilyn
3lived in a house within Forest Glen, which she chronicled in
4her book "At Home in Forest Glen"; for the rest of her life,
5Forest Glen was the place where she most wanted to be in her
6spare time; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Marilyn Campbell accepted the offer to become
8Executive Director of the Illinois Audubon Society in 1994;
9under her leadership, the organization advanced financially,
10increased its education offerings, and developed new
11relationships with many organizations; she spearheaded land
12acquisition and protection for threatened and endangered
13species, and oversaw sanctuaries around the state; her tireless
14efforts resulted in increased membership, the formation of new
15chapters, and improved protection of the flora and fauna of
16Illinois; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Upon Marilyn Campbell's retirement in 2006, the
18Illinois Audubon Society honored her career in education by
19establishing the Marilyn F. Campbell scholarship at Danville
20Area Community College; after her retirement, she volunteered
21her time as editor of the Illinois Audubon Society's magazine;
22and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Marilyn Campbell was a consultant to the Illinois
2Nature Preserves Commission and was a member of the State's
3Endangered Species Protection Board; she also volunteered at
4the local food bank, assisted with the Feed the Children
5Backpack Program, and held officer positions with the
6Middlefork Audubon Society of Vermilion County; she joined
7Therapy Dogs International, became a Certified Evaluator, and
8worked with over 225 dogs and their owners; she and her own
9collies made therapeutic visits to area nursing homes,
10children's camps, and the Veterans Affairs health system; she
11developed bonds with many of the veterans and felt a loss when
12they passed; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Marilyn Campbell was preceded in death by her
14parents; her sister, Carol Ann, in infancy; and her best
15friend, Betty Youngblood; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Marilyn Campbell is survived by her sister, Mary
17Ellen Robertson; her niece Rhonda (John) Branca; her nephew,
18Anthony (Cathy) Branca; her many friends; and her collie,
19Hannah; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
22Marilyn F. Campbell and extend our sincere condolences to her
23family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it

 

 

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1further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to the family of Marilyn Campbell as an expression of
4our deepest sympathy.