HR0626 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0626 LRB104 20343 RMO 33795 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Kathryn A. "Kathy" (Wroblewski) Clay of Waukegan, who passed away on January 10, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Clay, the eldest child and only daughter of Casimir and Florence (Hosinski) Wroblewski, was born in South Bend, Indiana on April 20, 1938; she was raised in an extended Polish-American family, remaining proud of her heritage throughout her life; she became the first woman in her family to receive a college degree when she graduated from Indiana University in 1960 and later earned her master's degree; she married Harry Clay in 1960 and worked in the Indiana University Music Department until 1962; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Clay moved to Waukegan with her husband and their daughter, Christina Marie, and began a long and successful teaching career; she taught middle school English and Social Studies in North Chicago, then moved to the elementary level in the Woodland School District; at Woodland, she specialized in reading and became active in the union, including serving as a union representative; after retiring from Woodland at age 68, she returned to work as a reading specialist in several Lake County school districts until retiring for good at age 75; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Clay was active in numerous groups and nonprofit organizations throughout more than 60 years spent living in Waukegan; believing fervently in democracy and the importance of voting, she was active in the League of Women Voters; she was an avid reader and served as treasurer of the Clare Cummings Club, which met regularly to hear authors speak; she worked tirelessly for Friends of the Waukegan Public Library and did everything from heading the organization to sorting through countless boxes of book donations; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Clay and her husband traveled to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario for many summers, creating wonderful memories for her daughter and fostering a love of theater in her granddaughters; she made trips throughout Europe, as well as to China and Thailand; in Waukegan, she met with old friends for breakfast and conversation every Thursday; supported by her dear friends and a dedicated caregiver in the last 15 years of her life, she continued to blaze her own path and live on her own terms; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Clay was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Clay, and her brother, Tom Wroblewski; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Clay is survived by her daughter, Christina Marie Clay, MD (Tom Ramsey); her granddaughters, Ellen Morris Palermo (Joe Palermo) and Charlotte Morris; her brothers, Mike Wroblewski (Kris Yacovoni) and Jerry (Crystal) Wroblewski; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Kathryn A. "Kathy" (Wroblewski) Clay 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 Kathy Clay as an expression of our deepest sympathy.