SR1103LRB100 15307 MST 30806 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Barbara Furlong of Oak Park, who passed
4away on October 2, 2017, at the age of 85; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was born in Cleveland, Ohio on
6November 28, 1931; she attended Notre Dame College in Euclid,
7Ohio and was certified in medical technology at University
8Hospital in Cleveland; and
 
9    WHEREAS, After moving to Oak Park, Barbara Furlong became
10deeply involved in her community, including decades of
11involvement in organizations and commissions such as the
12Community Relations Commission, the Oak Park Housing Center,
13the Parents' Human Relations Commission at Oak Park and River
14Forest High School, the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus, and the
15Village Manager Association; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong served as a village trustee from
171989 to 1993, where she earned a reputation as an effective and
18much appreciated leader; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was tapped to run for and won the
20race for Oak Park Village President, due in large part, she
21felt, to her longtime involvement in the community; she held

 

 

SR1103- 2 -LRB100 15307 MST 30806 r

1the office from 1997 to 2001; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong's tenure as village president was
3defined by tackling issues such as racial integration, gay
4couple registration, and affordable housing; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong noted that economic development
6was a top priority during her time in office and became a
7champion of purposeful economic growth; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was described as having quiet
9perseverance, grace, and focus; she was known to be always
10steady and strong, which made her an effective leader; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong, after retiring from her career as
12a medical technologist in 1992, became a dedicated volunteer
13with the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust and earned a
1425-year service pin for her volunteer work with the League of
15Women Voters; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was preceded in death by her
17beloved husband, William R. "Bill" Furlong; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Barbara Furlong was the mother of Mary (Jere)
19Mendelsohn, Thomas (Ann Williams), Timothy (Gayle), and Matt
20(Julia) Furlong; grandmother of Nathan and Rachel Mendelsohn,

 

 

SR1103- 3 -LRB100 15307 MST 30806 r

1Christopher Furlong, Michael (Carmen), Rebecca (Eric) Duenke,
2Emily, Sarah, Hannah, Peter and Jonathan Furlong, and Jayne,
3James, and Jennifer Furlong; great-grandmother of Ian and Evan
4Duenke; sister-in-law of Jack (Kit) Furlong; and loving aunt to
5many; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
8Barbara Furlong, and extend our sincere condolences to her
9family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
10further
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Barbara Furlong as an expression of
13our deepest sympathy.