SR0628 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0628 LRB102 21846 LAW 30966 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joan Blessington Snyder of Chillicothe, who passed away on October 22, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder was born in Clinton, Iowa to Raymond and Norma (Petrehn) Blessington on September 18, 1951; she married Stan Snyder in Peoria on May 16, 1987; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991; from that point on, she was extremely active in raising awareness and funds for the Parkinson's community; she created the annual fundraiser Shake, Rattle & Roll for Parkinson's and was the founder of the Central Illinois Advocates for Lives Interrupted by Parkinson's Support Organization (CALIPSO); she also co-wrote the book Voices from the Parking Lot in 2002 and co-produced the CD Voices from the Dreams We Share in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder's received a number of accolades for her dedication and efforts towards Parkinson's awareness and research, including the 25 Women in Leadership Award in 2002; she was officially recognized by the Illinois State Senate for 15 years of Parkinson's Advocacy in 2013, having raised more than $100,000; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder was a popular bartender at Peoria Pizza Works in the late 1970s and early 1980s; she was known for her love of music and her legendary parties; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder was brave, resilient, and extremely strong-willed; with her family, friends, and Catholic faith, she was able to fight Parkinson's disease for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Algird Kapacinskas; and

WHEREAS, Joan Snyder is survived by her husband, Stan; her daughter, Allison Sterling (Jim); her son, Mitchell "Mitch" (Nicole LaMantia); her granddaughters, Josephine and Emilia Sterling, with a third granddaughter expected to arrive in January to Mitch and Nicole; her siblings, Jim Blessington, Janis Hawkins (Randy), Regina Harris (Scott), Joyce Kapacinskas, and Jeff Blessington; her brother-in-law, Steve Snyder (Lisa); and her niece, Genna Hawkins; 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 Joan Blessington Snyder 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 Joan Snyder as an expression of our deepest sympathy.