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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Mary Helen Schaafsma, who passed away on 
4March 11, 2018; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma was born in Detroit, Michigan to 
6Miriam Cooke and Sybrant Schaafsma on February 3, 1951; she 
7grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan; she earned her Bachelor of 
8Arts in History from Calvin College and her Masters in Public 
9Administration from Western Michigan University; for most of 
10her adult life, she lived in Chicago; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma spent her working life primarily in 
12the nonprofit and government realms; until shortly before her 
13death, she was the Executive Director of the Illinois League of 
14Women Voters, a position she assumed in 2013; she also worked 
15for Illinois Citizen Action as an Administrative and Associate 
16Program Director and for Protestants for the Common Good as 
17Deputy Director for Policy and Program; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma was an active member of Fourth 
19Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where she served in many roles, 
20including elder, deacon, committee chair and member, youth 
21mission trip leader, and longtime usher; she also volunteered 
22her time as Secretary-Treasurer of the USAction Education Fund 
 
 
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1and as a board member of Central City Housing Ventures; she was 
2particularly interested in history and the arts; she was an 
3avid reader; she will be remembered for her infectious laugh, 
4her good humor, her quiet and  gracious manner, and her passion 
5and advocacy for justice and equality; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma was preceded in death by her 
7father; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Mary Schaafsma is survived by her mother; her 
9siblings, Timothy (Krista), Jane, and James (Nancy Vander 
10Kuyl); her nieces, Allison (Chris) Thompson, Rebecca (Jason) 
11Dozeman, Elizabeth (Justin) Ryder, and Lydia Schaafsma; her 
12nephew, Josiah Schaafsma; her four great-nieces; her three 
13great-nephews; her uncle; and her many cousins and friends; 
14therefore, be it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
17Mary Helen Schaafsma and extend our sincere condolences to her 
18family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
19further
  
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
21presented to the family of Mary Schaafsma as an expression of 
22our deepest sympathy.