SR0673 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0673 LRB103 35337 ECR 65401 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Yoannah "Hattie" Eshet Nasik Asiel, who passed away on October 25, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Yoannah Asiel was born Hattie Lonie to Mary and Edgar Lonie in Pearl, Mississippi on November 3, 1939; at the age of 10, she and her family moved to Chicago, which would become her home for more than 70 years; she graduated from Northern Illinois University, where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; she married Prince Ben Asiel on April 21, 1963 and, starting their family in 1967, they welcomed Lisa (Alizah), Lori, (Ahavah), and Ben Asiel; and

WHEREAS, Yoannah Asiel worked at DuSable High School as a physical education teacher, where she was adored by her students because she always saw the good in everyone; she and her husband opened Soul Vegetarian East, the first vegan restaurant in Chicago; after moving to Israel, she established the Kingdom School in Holiness for the children of Dimona in 1972; and

WHEREAS, Yoannah Asiel became one of the first Crown Sisters in the Hebrew Israelite community in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Yoannah Asiel enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, football games, college sports, and historically Black colleges and universities games; even in her later years, she played tennis and went swimming with her grandsons; she loved to cook, especially gourmet food, and she loved line dancing; she was a hard worker who always put others before herself; she will be remembered as an elegant woman who could light up a room and as the heartbeat of her family, a pillar of strength and a motivator; and

WHEREAS, Yoannah Asiel was preceded in death by her husband; her sister, Marjorie Reed; her sons, Yehudah and Ben; and her sister-wife, Havanah; and

WHEREAS, Yoannah Asiel is survived by her sisters, Shalamiyah, Shalgheyah, and Yeef-ah; her children, Tina, Hosheanah, Michal, Asiel, Lisa (Lester), Ooriel, Lori (Mark), Taeir (Trevor), Moreeyah, Arel (Parakiyah), Yahtmeed (Tsfoonah), Ooval, Yosef (Shamiyah), and Elronayn; her nephew, Mark Reed; her niece, Tracy Reed; and her 24 grandsons, 22 granddaughters, and 11 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Yoannah "Hattie" Eshet Nasik Asiel 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 Yoannah Asiel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.