SR2079 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2079 LRB100 23487 ALS 42524 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Barbara Noel Caldwell of Chicago, who passed away on July 28, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Caldwell was born in Chicago to the Honorable Lewis A.H. and Alice Jarrells Caldwell on March 23, 1937; she spent her childhood scooping ice cream at Roberta's Sweet Shop and writing Teen Town Chatter, a weekly column in the Chicago Crusader newspaper; she was educated in the Chicago Public School System and graduated from Hyde Park High School; she attended St. Edmund's Episcopal Church, where she learned the principles that guided her life; her firm belief in education led her to attend Howard University and then return to Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Teaching from the Chicago Teachers College, now Chicago State University; she later earned a master's degree in Inner City Studies from Northeastern University; she married Keith Alonzo Caldwell on October 22, 1960; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Caldwell began her career in education in the Chicago Public School System at the Alexandre Dumas Elementary school, where she implemented a groundbreaking Closed Circuit Television education program to bring learning to inner-city students; her leadership skills took her to the Walt Disney Magnet School, where she became a pod leader in their open classroom curriculum;; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Caldwell served as President of the Chicago Teachers Pension & Retirement Fund, where she managed a $3.5 million budget; she served her community for many years as an active Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; she was a founding member of the LakeShore Chapter of the Chicago Links, Inc., The Mother's Club, and the Bronzeville Children's Museum; she also served as a board member for several organizations; she was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Caldwell was never shy about speaking up for those who were less fortunate, a characteristic she learned from her father; she loved life and enjoyed dancing, traveling, horseback riding, and dining out; her interests included collecting art, decorating her home, and spoiling her grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Caldwell was preceded in death by her mother; her father; her stepmother, Ruth Stimpson; her sister, Phyllis Yvonne; and her first husband, Keith Caldwell, and her second husband, Richard Ward; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Caldwell is survived by her children, Lori (Derryle) Caldwell Valentine and Keith Lewis (Sheryl) Caldwell; her grandchildren, Derryle Keith Valentine, Christopher Caldwell Valentine, Kyra Rene Caldwell, Dorian Noel Valentine, and Karson Nicole Caldwell; and her many relatives, friends, neighbors, sorority sisters, church, and club members; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Barbara Noel Caldwell 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 Barbara Caldwell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.