SR1034 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1034 LRB100 15161 MST 30274 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jessica Betsy Reed of Chicago, who passed away on March 31, 2017, at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed was born in Chicago on December 6, 1922 to Claire Burleigh and S. Benton Reed, who were both professional artists, which greatly influenced her own career path and experiences; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed became a pianist, harpist, vocal coach, and accompanist for professional singers such as William Conroy, Mark Love, Giorgio Tozzi, Robert Maluta, Alger Brazis, and the Meister Singers quartet, with whom she toured around the country; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed was staff accompanist at the Rosa Raisa-Giacometti Rimini Studio for opera singers; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed performed in concerts at Orchestra Hall, the Auditorium Theatre, the Civic Opera House, Grant Park, and other venues in 10 states; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed was an organist and director at Oak Park's St. Catherine of Siena Church from 1950 through 1970; while in that position, she conducted the liturgical choir of men and boys and taught music appreciation at the parish grade school; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed later became the organist and director of the mixed choir at Oak Park Temple; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed's calligraphy was featured in a juried exhibit at the Newberry Library in Chicago and her paper sculptures have been displayed at the Mount Prospect Library; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed held multiple professional memberships in noted arts organizations, including the American Federation of Musicians, the American Guild of Organists, the National Guild of Piano Teachers, the MacDowell Artists Association, the Women's League of the Art Institute, the Society of Illuminators, and the Chicago Calligraphy Collective; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed was a renaissance woman, becoming a pilot and member of the Ninety-Nines, Inc., the International Organization of Women Pilots; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed was preceded in death by former husband, William Conroy; her brother, Alan Reed; and her parents; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Reed is survived by her daughters, Valerie Gager (the late David), Linda Porter (Michael), and Maura Simms (the late Ricky); her grandchildren, Dawn and Marc DeMuro; her great-grandson, Panos Anastasiou; her brother, Robin Reed; and 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 Jessica Betsy Reed, 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 Jessica Reed as an expression of our deepest sympathy.