SR0972 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0972 LRB099 14148 MST 38189 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mardine "Deenie" McReynolds; and

WHEREAS, Mardine McReynolds was born in East Chicago Heights (Ford Heights) on March 23, 1947 to Marshall Berry and Odessa McReynolds; she attended Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in education; and

WHEREAS, Mardine McReynolds began her teaching career at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island; she worked at the University of Chicago, taught continuing education at South Suburban College, and then joined the staff of the American College of Surgeons as a Human Resource Specialist, remaining there for many years; she then returned to education as a music teacher at the Chicago International Charter School (CICS) in Chicago; after retiring from CICS, she returned as a volunteer tutor at the Pershing School in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Mardine McReynolds came to Portland Street Church of God in Christ (now Goodwin Memorial Cathedral) at the age of 14 months with her mother and remained there for more than 50 years; she served principally in the Sunday School Department, starting out as a Sunday School teacher and then serving as Junior Sunday School Superintendent; she worked in the field with other ministries to help them grow and build, including Robinson Memorial A.M.E., New Original Church of God in Christ, South Shore Community Church, and many more; she played the piano and had a beautiful singing voice; she sang throughout her school years and was a member of the Kennedy-King College Community Chorus, the Chicago Community Chorus, the National A.M.E. Conference Choir, and many other choirs and singing groups; she was a frequent soloist at churches and weddings and was well-known for her beautiful rendition of "The Lord's Prayer"; and

WHEREAS, Mardine McReynolds was preceded in death by her father, Marshall, and her nephew, Larry; and

WHEREAS, Mardine McReynolds is survived by her mother, Odessa; her 3 brothers, Marshall, James (LaQuetia), and Myron (Nancy); her 2 sisters, Janis and Bettie; her 4 nephews, Terence, Marquis, Jonathan, and Chaz; her 5 nieces, Marcya, Dina, Sydney, Caroline, and Julia; her 8 great-nieces and nephews; her sister-in-law, Esther; and several cousins, including Betty Jo Taylor and Ava Stewart; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mardine "Deenie" McReynolds, 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 Mardine McReynolds as an expression of our deepest sympathy.