SR2368 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2368 LRB099 23853 GRL 51373 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of JoAnne L. Ford-Mackay, who passed away on October 21, 2016; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Ford-Mackay was born on September 2, 1929 in Joliet; her parents were Sam and Myrtle Pettinato; she married Art Mackay in 2001; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Ford-Mackay enjoyed everything in the arts; her parents introduced her to the accordion at the age of five and she took lessons from Joe Mosele until the age of 19; she and her husband entertained audiences at nursing homes, meetings, churches, and other places; she was also an accomplished artist; she drew the faces of many male movie stars and sent them to the stars; in return, she would receive autographed pictures of the stars with encouraging notes; this became a treasured hobby of hers and was highlighted on the front page of the Joliet Spectator; she also enjoyed collecting numerous photo albums and often drew characters in them depicting the storyline of her life events; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Ford-Mackay served as president of the B.P. Amoco Ladies Club, the "Amoco Anns", and headed their bowling teams; she was a dedicated volunteer at the Rialto Theatre for 11 years and serving on the theatre board for three years; she was inducted into the Rialto Hall of Fame for her many years of service; she was well known for drawing portraits of the stars that performed at the theatre, such as Wayne Newton, Engelbert Humperdink, and Tony Martin, and personally presenting them to the entertainers backstage; she also enjoyed crocheting hand-made dolls and enjoyed giving them away as gifts; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Ford-Mackay was preceded in death by her first husband of 41 years, Emmett "Mickey" Ford; her daughter, Dr. Robin R. Ford Ellis Nash; her son-in-law, Donald G. Ellis; and her parents; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne Ford-Mackay is survived by her second husband, Art Mackay; her son, Kevin M. Ford; her grandsons, Aaron Nash and Dr. Brett Nash; her granddaughter, Cody Shannon Nash; her son-in-law, Dr. Ken Nash; her stepdaughters, Cynthia (Dave) Pollentier and Joanne (Greg) Rodriguez; her step-grandchildren, Christopher (Carmen) Schram, Katie (Roy) Coons, Reni Rodriguez, and Yordan Rodriguez; and seven step-great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of JoAnne L. Ford-Mackay; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of JoAnne Ford-Mackay as an expression of our sympathy.