SR0518 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0518 LRB104 16279 ECR 29664 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Wenonah M. Bish of Sherman, who passed away on November 1, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish was born to Louis B. and Elizabeth R. Kelly Taborn in Springfield on October 2, 1912; she was educated in the Springfield Public Schools District; she married Edgar A. Bish in 1943, and he preceded her in death on March 26, 2001; she was a resident of Springfield for the majority of her life; and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish worked as an assembly line worker for the Sangamo Electric Company, retiring after many years of service; and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish was a woman of strong faith and a longtime member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church; she was also known as a fashionista who never left her home without her hair perfectly coiffed, her makeup applied, and her earrings and pearls in place; and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish enjoyed receiving daily phone calls from her daughter, frequent visits from her family and friends, and mail and packages from people around the country and the world; she loved celebrating her birthdays with a meal of barbecue ribs from Smokey Bones and original recipe fried chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC); and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish always looked forward to the joys of tomorrow; at the time of her passing, she was the oldest resident in the State of Illinois at the age of 113; and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Thelma Evans, Anne Cabelle, and Marguerite (James) Burton; her brother, Louis B. Taborn Jr.; and her son, Donald E. Wright; and

WHEREAS, Wenonah Bish is survived by her daughter, Delores Ann (the late Joseph) Hughes; her grandchildren, Pamela (Eric) Miller, Joseph H. (Elaine) Hughes, Edgar B. (Regina) Hughes, Donald E. (Marybeth) Wright Jr., Douglas Wright, Dirk Wright, and Derrick Wright; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her special cousin, Pam Jones King; her special friends, Georgetta Slaughter and James Slaughter; and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Wenonah M. Bish 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 Wenonah Bish as an expression of our deepest sympathy.