SR0117LRB101 10959 ALS 56135 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson of Urbana, 
4who passed away on February 2, 2019; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was born in Champaign to Joseph 
6Leo and Hattie Virginia (Thompson) Hassell on October 6, 1940; 
7she graduated from Champaign High School, now Central High 
8School, on June 5, 1958; immediately following graduation, she 
9began working in the Office of Admissions and Records at the 
10University of Illinois; she retired as assistant to the 
11director of admissions in 1995; in 1997, she returned to the 
12University of Illinois to work part time for the director of 
13development in the School of Social Work, where she remained 
14until 2004; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was instrumental in the 
16integration of Urbana Schools, the first in the State of 
17Illinois; she served on and was the chair of the City of Urbana 
18Human Relations Commission; she served at Bethel African 
19Methodist Episcopal  Church with her husband for 53 years; she 
20returned to her childhood church, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist 
21Church, three years ago; and
  
 
  
22    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was preceded in death by her 
 
 
SR0117- 2 -LRB101 10959 ALS 56135 r

1parents; her sister, Joan Hassell Alexander; and two of her 
2nephews, Brian A. and Kerry L. Alexander; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson is survived by her husband of 59 
4years, Carlos; her children, Carlos Franklin (Mae Nunnery) 
5Donaldson Jr., Carletta Jo Donaldson, and Dennis Keith (Denise 
6Stanley) Donaldson; her grandchildren, Ryan Carlos, Blake 
7Donaldson, Chad (Kathy Boetcher) Pellum, Amber (Justin) 
8Duncan, and Kyle Pellum; her brothers, Joseph L. and Charles E. 
9(Betty J. Lewis) Hassell; and her many nieces, nephews, and 
10cousins; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
13Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson and extend our sincere 
14condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
15her; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to the family of Willeta Donaldson as an expression 
18of our deepest sympathy.