HR0156 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0156 LRB102 17723 LAW 23742 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Marcia Robinson Blair of Chicago, who passed away on March 10, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Blair was born in Chicago to Roosevelt and Frances Robinson on October 7, 1947; she grew up on the south side of Chicago, where she attended Doolittle Elementary School and later graduated from Harlan High School; she attended Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, where she was initiated into the Beta Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1968; she married Frank L. Blair Jr. on October 5, 1968; she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1969; alongside her husband, she settled in Chicago after graduation; they had one child, Marla, in 1971; she later earned a master's degree from Governors State University; and

WHEREAS, A talented educator, Marcia Blair served in the Chicago Public School system for over 35 years; she worked at several schools, including Dunne Elementary School and Robert Healy Elementary School; she retired from Robert A. Black Magnet Elementary School in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Blair was a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; she was a longtime member of the Theta Omega chapter in Chicago; she celebrated 50 years as a Golden Soror in 2018; she was committed to the sorority's sisterhood and scholarship; she was proud to have a continued family legacy of sisterhood and service with her daughter, sisters, and several nieces also initiated into the sorority; she worked together with her daughter in the sorority, and they enjoyed spending this time together; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Blair was committed to her faith and was baptized as a child at Gammon United Methodist Church; she was a member of the South Shore United Methodist Church, where she served as a member of the United Methodist Women, the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the October Birthday Club, and the Women's Day Chorus; she also enjoyed organizing social outings with church members, which included many plays, musicals, and good conversations; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Blair was affectionately known as "Dottie" to family and friends and "Nana" to her grandchildren; she found great joy in traveling with her extended family in her retirement; she took annual vacations with Marla and Zion, and they most recently visited Havana, Cuba; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Blair was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents; and her siblings, Margell, Lamont, Deborah, and Lawrence; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Blair is survived by her daughter, Marla Blair-Hohenkirk (David); her grandsons, Zion and Xavier; her sisters, Mary Hughes and Delores Jackson (Robert); her sisters-in-law, Mary Robinson and Cynthia Ann Blair Ricks; generations of nieces and nephews; a host of cousins; and many lifelong and recent friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marcia Robinson Blair 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 Marcia Blair as an expression of our deepest sympathy.