Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0421

HR0421 LRB104 14363 LAW 27497 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM, who passed away on June 19, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary was born to Bridget and Peter V. Connelly in Chicago on February 23, 1931; she was raised in a family rooted in deep faith and service; as a child, she attended Chicago parochial schools and taught in several Archdiocesan schools while continuing her studies; she joined the Sisters of Mercy when she was 18 years old; she earned a Bachelor of Social Science from St. Xavier University in 1959, a Master of Arts in Sociology from St. Louis University in 1966, and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary, as a Sister of Mercy, served her community as a teacher, a social worker, and the administrator of Misericordia Heart of Mercy with love, joy, and gratitude; she was appointed to the role of administrator at Misericordia on Chicago's South Side in 1969 at a time when there were no services for children with disabilities, leading her to establish a variety of programs designed to help children achieve the highest level of independence possible; she, 35 dedicated staff members, and 39 children moved to the former site of Angel Guardian Orphanage on the North Side of Chicago at 6300 North Ridge in 1976; for 56 years, she guided Misericordia through enormous growth, affecting and ultimately changing the lives of thousands of children, families, and supporters in the process; through her efforts, Misericordia serves more than 600 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities today; and

WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary devoted her life to the community that has become the Misericordia of today, a loving and caring environment that provides a full continuum of care and life-enriching programs for individuals from diverse racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds with a wide range of abilities; she was instrumental in developing a compassionate and holistic approach to caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and set the tone for Misericordia, believing in the potential of each and every individual and in their right to life and one worth living; she oversaw a far-reaching program that has become one of the nation's leading communities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Misericordia now includes not only 600 residents but also an Outreach Program, a staff of 1,200 employees, and thousands of volunteers both on and off campus; and

WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary was awarded the University of Notre Dame's 2023 Laetare Medal, considered the oldest and most prestigious honor given to an American Catholic; she also received numerous awards, accolades, and honorary degrees throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary was known for her humility, commending her staff and volunteers for their achievements before her own, and she will be remembered as a visionary who made a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals and their families; and

WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary was the sister of the late Marie (the late Ed) O'Brien, Kathryn (the late Robert) Connolly, the late Donald Connelly, the late Joe (the late Patricia) Connelly, and the late Patricia "Pat" (the late Bob) Martin; and the aunt to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM 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 Sister Rosemary as an expression of our deepest sympathy.