HR1406 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1406 LRB099 23342 MST 50797 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Jean DeMattei of Marion, who passed away on July 17, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei was born in Benton to James G. and Marie (Huelbig) O'Hara on December 17, 1930; she graduated from Benton High School in 1948 and attended Bethel Women's College from 1948 to 1950; she earned her bachelor's degree in education from Southern Illinois University in 1952; she married Clarence E. DeMattei in 1954; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei's teaching career lasted over 25 years; her passion was kindergarten and she had a positive impact on hundreds of children and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei was active in her community; she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marion for 60 years, where she belonged to the Dorcas class; she was a life member of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and later, the Heartland Regional Medical Center; she donated blood for the American Red Cross for many years; she served as a member of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center Foundation and as a member, volunteer, and curator for the Williamson County Historical Museum in Marion; she was a retired member of the National, Illinois, and Marion Education Associations, the Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Sorority for Women Educators, and the National Society for Daughters of the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei was an avid reader; she enjoyed yard work, uncovering family genealogy, knitting, quilting, and building homes and completing renovations; she had multiple collections and spent many hours "coining" with her children and grandchildren and teaching them the history and value of United States currency; she worked with her husband to tackle many jobs and was able to help her six children build or renovate homes; she and her husband spent 10 years restoring and saving the now historic Stotlar-DeMattei Home in Marion and their home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei was a sports fan; she attended family sporting events without fail, and if she was not attending a game, meet, or match, there was sure to be one playing on her television; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James O'Hara; her sister-in-law, Mary Lee O'Hara; her nieces, Jama King and Susan O'Hara; and her great-niece, Sara Beth Phillips; and

WHEREAS, Mary DeMattei is survived by her husband of 61 years, Clarence; her children, J.J. (Teresa), Clay (Lety), Mike (Ronda), Gina (Larry) Crippen, John, and Jenna (John) Fletcher; her grandchildren, Brad (Britni) DeMattei, Bryan (Kellee) DeMattei, Emily DeMattei, Brody DeMattei, Kevin Crippen, Clay (McKenzie) Crippen, Caroline Fletcher, and David Fletcher; and her nephew, Jimmy O'Hara; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, we mourn the passing of Mary Jean DeMattei, 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 Mary DeMattei as an expression of our deepest sympathy.