SR1208 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1208 LRB102 29050 LAW 40956 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Deborah Kay "Debbie" Maxwell of Springfield, who passed away on October 27, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell was born to Edna and Jimmie Reynolds in Springfield on June 28, 1952; she graduated from Springfield High School in 1970; she married Phil Maxwell on December 3, 1977, becoming the stepmother to Norman and Bruce; her family expanded when they had their daughters, Gretchen and Beth; she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from MacMurray College in Jacksonville in 1990; over the years, her family hosted 20 exchange students from various countries, and they welcomed a Russian exchange student Dasha (Daria) in 1994, who became a part of their family; and

WHEREAS, Although she had many jobs, Debbie Maxwell's true calling was loving and caring for children; she taught elementary school at Harvard Park and Owen Marsh for 10 years; she served as a mother figure to many, including friends, neighbors, students, church family, and anyone in need of nurturing; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell attended Southside Christian Church in her earlier years; as an adult, she was an active member of Elliott Avenue Baptist Church and later Central Baptist Church in Springfield; she taught Sunday school, volunteered for a crisis pregnancy center, and participated in Christian Bible Fellowship and women's circle; she also cooked and served Wednesday night church dinners and hosted a yearly dinner and reception for the Millikin University Choir; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell loved music and sang in many groups through the years, including the women's barbershop chorus Harmony First, church choirs, the Maxwell family quartet, and the Illinois Symphony Chorus; she participated in the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians Conference at Green Lake, Wisconsin for 26 years; she and her husband held season tickets for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra; she enjoyed art shows, museums, and theatrical performances, embracing all the arts and passing her love of art and culture to her children; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell was an avid gardener and loved her flowers, birds, gazing balls, fairy lights, whirligigs, pinwheels, and wind chimes; she enjoyed traveling and exploring the U.S. and abroad; she found joy in collecting beautiful things and selecting thoughtful gifts for others; her spiritual gift was hospitality, and her door was always open to visits from family, friends, and neighbors; she treasured baking with her children and grandchildren, and she made cookie trays and delivered them to the post office workers at Christmas; she was a lifetime lover of animals and had many pets; her favorite canine companion was her Goldendoodle, Katie, who brought true joy to the last two years of her life; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many; she was known for her way of making each person she knew and met feel special, seen, and loved; she will be remembered for her warm and fun presence lighting up the room through her smile, fashion, humor, and genuine joy in interacting with people; and

WHEREAS, At the time of her passing, Debbie Maxwell was survived by her husband, Phil; her daughters, Gretchen Phillips, Beth Maxwell, and Dasha (Daria) LaFave; her stepsons, Norman Maxwell and Bruce Maxwell; her mother, Edna Reynolds; her siblings, Coni Rogers and Lenny Reynolds; her best friend of over 40 years, Janette Bolin; her grandchildren Candice Maxwell, Veronica Rodriguez, Emily Maxwell, El Maxwell, Amelia Phillips, Anneliese Phillips, Megan Heinemann, and Henry LaFave; her nephews, Evan Stevens and Colin Rogers; her godchildren, Dawnita and Christlynn Jackson; and her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; 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 Deborah Kay "Debbie" Maxwell 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 Debbie Maxwell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.