SR1118 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1118 LRB100 15816 ALS 30924 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anna Marie Abdula of Waukegan, who passed away on August 25, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula was born in Duluth, Minnesota to Mary and Tom Brackett on February 16, 1928; her family relocated to Waukegan in 1933, and she graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1947; she joined St. John's United Church of Christ, where she sang in the choir and was a soloist for many special occasions; she married Fred Abdula in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula, along with her husband Fred, founded Air Con Refrigeration and Heating, a successful Waukegan-based business now in its second generation of operation; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula was active in the local community; she volunteered at local hospital nurseries and at her children's school, where she was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the PTA and was a founding member of the Washington School Book Club; she also participated in several fundraising events which benefitted local hospitals, such as the Festival of Trees, Chef's Cuisine and the Affair of the Heart; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula and Fred were philanthropists and donated resources for projects such as the refurbishment of the Genesee Theater; their generous donation created the Abdula Scholarship at the College of Lake County in 1995; her achievements and contributions to causes that promoted the advancement of women were recognized by the Park Place Center and the Waukegan Township Board when she was presented with the Woman of Honor Award in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula was never one to turn down a new challenge, and she took up golf in her late fifties; she enjoyed playing with her friends in the Ladies' League at the country club; in her free time, she enjoyed baking, gardening, entertaining, caring for her pets, and traveling; she will be remembered for her roles as devoted wife, loyal friend, beloved sibling, and loving mother; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Fred; her parents; her sister, Lois Brackett Sisty; and her brother, Tom Brackett; and

WHEREAS, Anna Abdula is survived by her children, Linda (James) Considine, Patrick Abdula, Michael Abdula, and Lisa Abdula; and her many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Anna Marie Abdula 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 Anna Abdula as an expression of our deepest sympathy.