HR0522 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0522 LRB101 14459 MST 63350 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Cherie Geraldine Patterson, who passed away on September 16, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Patterson was born to Owen J. Sr. and Ruth H. Patterson on February 26, 1928; she attended Chicago Public Schools and loved clothes and sports and was a social butterfly; she was the prom queen of Englewood High School, where she graduated with honors at the age of 16 and enrolled in college the same year; she married James D. Steele and they settled in the Chatham neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Patterson earned a bachelor's degree from Northeastern Illinois University, followed by both a master's degree and a PhD in Public Administration; she was a life-long learner and passed her love of learning to her children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Patterson coached Little League Baseball, chaperoned field trips, drove her children and their friends to countless dance and swimming lessons, and attended PTA meetings; she loved to bowl and passed her love of the game to her children, enrolling them in bowling leagues at a young age; she organized her community around issues, sparking her interest in politics; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Patterson joined Trinity United Church of Christ in January 1987; she was as committed to her church as she was committed to education and her family; she was ordained as a deacon in December 2002; and

WHEREAS, After the passing of her first husband, Cherie Patterson married Otis Mitchell, and, for 21 years, they traveled domestically and internationally, golfed, and became snow birds in Florida; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Patterson was preceded in death by her first husband, James; her second husband, Otis; her parents; and her siblings, Phyllis Patterson, Ruth Wheatley, Elizabeth Taylor, Norma Sampson, Owen Patterson Jr., and Patricia Patterson; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Patterson is survived by her children, John O. (Deborah) Steele Sr. and Diane C. Steele German; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; her siblings, George (Marie) Wheatley Sr., Erma Godfrey, and Choma (Marvalene) Patterson; and a host of extended family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Cherie Geraldine Patterson 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 Cherie Patterson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.