SR0828 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0828 LRB101 15415 MST 64700 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dorothy Mae "Dottie" Brown of Joliet at the age of 96; and

WHEREAS, Dottie Brown was born in Joliet to Frank and Rose Maxwell in 1923; she graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1941; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Dottie Brown worked at the Joliet Arsenal in Manhattan while her future husband, LaVerne "Bitz" Brown, served in the military; after the war, they were married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1948, Dottie Brown and her husband along with their high school friends Paul and Vicki Lambrecht formed Brown and Lambrecht Earthmovers; the company grew to become a major regional civil contractor, providing gainful employment to thousands of individuals throughout Illinois and the Midwest; and

WHEREAS, For the last 60 years, Dottie Brown supported a number of local non-profit service organizations, including the Joliet Area Community Hospice, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, the University of St. Francis, Lewis University, Joliet Catholic Academy, Providence High School, the Silver Cross Foundation, St. Joseph Hospital, Childerguild, and the Diocese of Joliet; and

WHEREAS, Dottie Brown was a lifelong parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church; she and her husband were strong advocates for Joliet and Will County and will be remembered for their philanthropy and tireless dedication to local education, health care, and service to those in need; From humble beginnings, she was continuously grateful for her life's blessings; and

WHEREAS, Dottie Brown was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, LaVerne "Bitz" Brown; her parents; her brother, Frank (Betty) Maxwell; her sister, Lorraine (Jim) Bily; her parents-in-law, Seward and Florence Brown; her brother-in-law, Wayne Brown; her sister-in-law, Joan (LaVerne "Chip") Vollmer; and her niece, Marybeth Dopudja; and

WHEREAS, Dottie Brown is survived by her nieces, Candy (Mike) Wagner, Cindy (Jeff Berry) Bily, Marcia Maxwell, Sharon (Jack) Tweedle, and Susan (John) Reed; her nephews, James (Emi) Brown, Michael (Janine) Vollmer, Mark (Jan) Maxwell, Jim (Linda) Bily, Tim (Nadine) Bily, Mike (Christy Ford) Bily, and Patrick (Julie) Bily; her cousin, Marlene Walker; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; her loving caregivers, Katarzyna Gorna and Rose Petty; and her many dear friends, including George and Regina Block, Jeanette D'Arcy, Jeanne Jacobs, and Bob and Rosemary Stephen; 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 Dorothy Mae "Dottie" Brown 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 Dottie Brown as an expression of our deepest sympathy.