SR0930 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0930 LRB094 22263 RAH 60981 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the passing of Margaret Ann Welch on January 4, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Ann Welch was born on January 16, 1938 in Christiansberg, West Virginia to Walter Evans and Elizabeth Dobbins; she was raised by her grandmother, Hattie Dobbins; and

WHEREAS, While growing up in Christiansberg, she was baptized at Rufand Ready Baptist Church and sang in the choir; and

WHEREAS, Following the passing of her grandmother, Margaret Ann moved to Gary, West Virginia and later to Anniston, Alabama; she attended Cobb High School where she met Leon Welch, who became her husband for 49 years; and

WHEREAS, Leon and Margaret Welch relocated to Chicago in 1958; soon after they welcomed their daughters, Lisa Darlene and Kathryn Virginia; and

WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, Mrs. Welch worked as a trainer at Spiegel's; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Mrs. Welch attended St. Ethelreda Church where she converted to Catholicism and was an active member for more than 30 years; she later worked as a secretary for St. Ethelreda parish for more than 25 years, retiring in January 2005; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Margaret Ann Welch has been deeply felt by many, especially her daughters, Lisa Welch (Dwight Austin), and Kathryn Virginia Welch; her brother, John Bradford, Jr.; her grandson, Dwight Leander Austin; her aunt, Beatrice Wars; her cousin, Laura Byrd; and a host of extended family and close friends; she was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Welch and her mother, Elizabeth Bradford; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Margaret Ann Welch, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, her friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution presented to her family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.