SR0562 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0562 LRB104 17564 LAW 30992 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of JoAnne Fields Richardson of Peoria, who passed away on December 28, 2025; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson, the daughter of Monroe Austin Fields and Jessie Lee (Higgins) Fields, was born in Humansville, Missouri on August 21, 1931; she graduated from Humansville High School and St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri, where she received her registered nursing degree in 1952; she married Robert J. Richardson, D.D.S., M.D., in Kansas City, Missouri on February 19, 1955; they moved to Peoria, Illinois in July 1958, where they established her husband's plastic surgery practice and raised their family; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson worked at St. Luke's Hospital and the Veterans Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where she met her husband; after moving to Illinois, she became very active in Peoria, serving as a volunteer tour guide at the Allied Agency Center for 10 years, a volunteer with the Peoria Medical Society Alliance at Bel-Wood Nursing Home since 1971, a driver for the Visiting Nurse Association Meals on Wheels program for 20 years, a Girl Scout leader, and a volunteer at the Salvation Army for 20 years, during which she assisted the summer camp program, helped with the Red Stocking Christmas Basket applications, and received the 1983 Salvation Army "Others" Award; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson was active in the Peoria District Dental Auxiliary, serving as president from 1964 to 1965, and the Peoria Medical Auxiliary, now known as the Peoria Medical Society Alliance, serving as president from 1971 to 1972, becoming an honorary member in 1997, and receiving the Charlotte Barbour Award in 1998; she was also an active member and past officer of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), PEO, and the Peoria Women's Civic Federation, formerly known as the Peoria Women's Club; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson was a faithful attendee, member, and devout volunteer at First Federated Church, and also First Presbyterian Church for a time, since 1958; she was a former chairman of the First Federated Church Board of Deacons, co-chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, a founding member of the Stained-Glass Restoration Committee and Fund, and a member of the church's executive board; further, she participated in the Women's Club and assisted with the children's programs; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson enjoyed gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and she bestowed her love of gardening and cultivating habitats for birds onto her grandchildren when they came to visit in the summer; she was also well-known for her love of cats; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Dr. Robert J. Richardson, and her older sister, Frances Fields Yoder; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Richardson is survived by her daughters, Beverly (Patrick Terry) Harn Terry, Judith Lee Richardson, and Mary (Brian Guhl) Richardson Guhl; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her older brother, Howard Fields; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; 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 JoAnne Fields Richardson 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 JoAnne Richardson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.