SR0212 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0212 LRB102 17990 ECR 24783 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Barbara "Barb" Ketcham Leiter of Peoria and Boca Grande, Florida, who passed away March 4, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Barb Leiter was born to John Robert and Ellen Shepherdson Ketcham in Peoria on January 9, 1945; she graduated from Richwoods High School in 1963 and from Bradley University in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in Education; at Bradley, she was affiliated with the Pi Beta Phi Sorority; she married Tom Leiter, her high school sweetheart, at First Federated Church in Peoria on June 17, 1967; and

WHEREAS, After moving to Champaign where Tom completed law school, Barb Leiter taught art to kindergarten and elementary students in Mansfield; in 1969, she and her husband moved back to Peoria where she taught at Northmoor School; she was a licensed and registered interior designer and employed her many talents in residential and commercial projects in Illinois and Florida, both in new construction and in historic preservation and restoration; and

WHEREAS, Barb Leiter volunteered her time to many philanthropic organizations and chaired numerous fundraising activities, including the Heart Fund, Opera Illinois, and the Peoria Historical Society; she was active in the Lakeview Center, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and the local public broadcasting company, WTVP; an exceptional event planner, she chaired the Peoria, Illinois Tri-Centennial Ball, created the Riverboat Gambler events for the Peoria Historical Society, and organized numerous other events for the Country Club of Peoria Centennial Celebration; and

WHEREAS, Barb Leiter was a member of the First Federated Church in Peoria and the Boca Grande Methodist Church in Boca Grande, Florida; she maintained membership in the DAR, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America (Chicago Chapter), the English Speaking Union, the Peoria Historical Society, the Junior League of Peoria, the Peoria Women's Club, the Boca Grande Woman's Club, PEO, the Country Club of Peoria, the Gasparilla Inn and Club, and numerous other educational and civic organizations; and

WHEREAS, Barb Leiter, along with her husband, enjoyed historic preservation, antiques, history, music, and, most importantly, family; and

WHEREAS, Barb Leiter was preceded in death by her father and mother; and

WHEREAS, Barb Leiter is survived by her husband, Tom; her four children, Elizabeth (Alexis) Khazzam, Matthew (Meghan) Leiter, Anne Bicket Leiter, and Margaret (Carter) Wellford; her grandchildren, Nicholas, Stella Grace, Matteo, Louisa, Frances, Leighton, and Caroline; and her brother, James Robert Ketcham; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Barbara "Barb" Ketcham Leiter 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 Barb Leiter as an expression of our deepest sympathy.