SR0464 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0464 LRB101 12256 MST 59959 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gloria Anne Kittell Hannas on December 18, 2018 at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas was born on May 22, 1927 in Newark, New Jersey to Noel E. and Virgiline Kittell; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas graduated from Woodbridge High School and attended Indiana University, where she graduated with a B.A. in 1949; she worked for J. Walter Thompson and earned her M.A. at Northwestern University in 1972; she earned a teacher's certificate and began a 20-year career as a high school French teacher at Riverside Brookfield High School, Thornton Township, and later Thornwood High School; during her retirement, she became a private French consultant and tutor for students and for adults going abroad; she was also a passionate volunteer advocate for people she felt were in need of support and freedom; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, Gloria Hannas married Warren F. Hannas and lived in La Grange for 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas served as a commissioner from First Presbyterian Church of La Grange at the meetings of the Chicago Presbytery; she worked with the Chicago Presbytery's Middle East Task Force and Peacemaking Mission Team and advocated for justice in Central and South America; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas was a progressive who spoke out for social justice and world peace and was greatly admired for her dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to work for peace and justice; she received a Humanitarian Award from the La Grange NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas moved to Oak Park to an apartment in the Oak Park Arms in 2010 to live in a community where integrated housing was desired and where people practiced inclusion; she was active with the Oak Park Arms' Readers Theater and its book club; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas became an active member of First United Church of Oak Park, where she attended Sunday morning adult education seminars and weekly Bible studies on a variety of topics; she was on the church's Faith in Action Committee; in addition, she tutored elementary children as part of her church's Cluster tutoring program for inner city youth; and

WHEREAS, Once she needed assistance, Gloria Hannas moved to Overland Park, Kansas to be near family in 2017; she faithfully attended Village Presbyterian Church as long as she was able; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas loved cats her entire life and had the pleasure of having two snowshoe cats, Lili and Sasha most recently, and Minou before them; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Hannas is survived by her children, Barbara (Hannas) Johnson and Stuart Hannas; her grandchildren, Sarah Payne and Chris Payne; her great-grandchildren; her niece, Cindy (Hannas) D'Esterre; and her nephews, Scott Hannas, Steve Hannas, and Craig Hannas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gloria Anne Kittell Hannas 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 Gloria Hannas as an expression of our deepest sympathy.