SR0885 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0885 LRB103 40084 LAW 71604 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Babich of Joliet, who passed away on March 20, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Mary Babich was born on March 6, 1944; she was a lifelong resident of Joliet; she was raised on Meeker Avenue, where her family ran a local grocery store and produced and sold Cresto Sausage; she was a graduate of Lincoln Grade School, Joliet Township Central High School, and Joliet Junior College, where she was a cheerleader; and

WHEREAS, Mary Babich worked as a service representative for Illinois Bell Telephone in Lockport for 28 years, where she was often recognized as a top sales person; post retirement, she provided administrative support at the Caneva Foot Clinic and the offices of Dr. Gutierrez, Penaherrera & Gurfinkle - Internal Medicine; and

WHEREAS, Mary Babich was a dedicated member of St. Joseph's & St. Mary's Nativity Parishes, and she belonged to St. Joseph's Church Altar & Rosary Society and its Senior Citizens Association; she was active in many clubs and organizations, including serving on the Rialto Board for 18 years, as a past president and member of the Cantigny 367 VFW Ladies Auxiliary, as a guild member and an active fundraiser of Lightways Hospice for over 20 years, and as a member of the Our Lady of Angels Auxiliary, the Italian American Club, the Moran Club, KSKJ, the Elks Club, the Moose Club, and the Red Hats Club;

WHEREAS, Mary Babich was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Golden State Warriors; she was an avid shopper and deal seeker; she enjoyed eating lunch at Al's Steakhouse with her best friends, Rose and Sally, and collecting rosaries and angels; she loved traveling, including weekend getaways to St. Joseph, Michigan, annual trips to Florida, where she visited family in Sarasota and Disney World with her grandchildren, and international trips to Italy and Slovenia; and

WHEREAS, Mary Babich was known for always looking well-dressed, pairing classy outfits with coordinating scarves; she was a proud supporter of her family and their accomplishments and a generous and loyal friend; and

WHEREAS, Mary Babich was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Angeline Cresto; her parents-in-law, Joseph and Helen Babich; her sister, Joanne (Donald) Legerski; her brother, Ronald Cresto; her sister-in-law, Jeanette Tucci; her brother-in-law, Bob Babich; and other extended family; and

WHEREAS, Mary Babich is survived by her husband of 55 years, Joseph Babich; her daughters, Kelli Babich and Lisa (Dimitri) Karnezis; her grandchildren, Olivia and Joseph Karnezis; her sister-in-law, Margie Cresto; her brother-in-law, Rich Tucci; and her nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends; 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 Mary Babich 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 Mary Babich as an expression of our deepest sympathy.