SR0826 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0826 LRB103 39841 ECR 70528 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Lou Newell of St. Louis, Missouri, formerly of Ashland, who passed away on January 12, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell was born to Jesse Liter and Jean Helen (Caldwell) Petefish in Literberry on June 15, 1928; she attended Ashland High School; she received a degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University; she married Bob Newell at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland on October 17, 1953; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell taught second grade in Lincoln and Springfield, and she worked as a substitute teacher at Ashland Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell dedicated her time to various volunteer organizations, including actively contributing to St. Augustine's Altar Society and the Ashland Junior Women's Club, helping in the maternity department at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, and delivering Meals on Wheels in Ashland for 10 years; she and her husband, Bob, volunteered for Helping Hands in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where they lived for 11 years; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell enjoyed cooking, gardening, babysitting her grandchildren, antiquing, and traveling the world; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell will be remembered for her compassion and generosity; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Bob; her brothers, Ward Petefish and Richard Petefish; and her sisters, Sarah Allen and Lois Yancy; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Newell is survived by her children, Stephen (Leah) Newell, Janet (Dennis) Thomas, Margaret (Dave) McLaughlin, and Kathleen (Don) Angle; her grandchildren, Liz (Chris Malerich) Newell, Andy (Kat) Newell, John (Jenna) Thomas, Jathan (Chelsea) McLaughlin, Patrick (Noelle) McLaughlin, Rob (Amanda) McLaughlin, Matt (Katie) Angle, Laura Angle, and Greg (Nicole) Angle; and nine great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mary Lou Newell 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 Mary Lou Newell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.