SR0674LRB104 21154 MST 35505 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Dr. Barbara Mary Gaffke, who passed 
4away on September 4, 2025; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Gaffke was born on October 22, 1939; she 
6earned her nursing degree from the St. Elizabeth Nursing 
7School and both her master's degree and PhD in nursing from 
8Loyola University Chicago; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Gaffke was a devoted nurse for over six 
10decades and a source of care, compassion, and wisdom to many; 
11she was a passionate advocate and a leader in both the Illinois 
12Nursing Association and the Illinois Black Nurses Association; 
13and
 
14    WHEREAS, Dr. Gaffke was deeply involved in her community; 
15she helped establish the Park Ridge Homeowners Club, was a 
16devoted parishioner of St. Paul of the Cross Church for 57 
17years, and actively supported animal shelters in Chicago and 
18Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; she was also a Democratic Party 
19activist; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Dr. Gaffke lived a life full of love, service, 
21and adventure; and
 
 
 
SR0674- 2 -LRB104 21154 MST 35505 r

1    WHEREAS, Dr. Gaffke was preceded in death by her husband, 
2John; her parents, Frank and Catherine; and her siblings, 
3Robert, Dolores, and Fred; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Dr. Gaffke is survived by her children, Michael 
5Gaffke (Lara Muldoon), Jeanine Gaffke (Michael Kane), and 
6Corinne (James) McKeag and her grandchildren, Aidan, Elise, 
7Vivienne, and Lilliana; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
10Dr. Barbara Mary Gaffke and extend our sincere condolences to 
11her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
12further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
14presented to the family of Dr. Gaffke as a symbol of or deepest 
15sympathy.