SR0108 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0108 LRB099 08383 MST 28535 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anne McDonald Oakley of Quincy, who passed away on January 30, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Anne Oakley was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on February 7, 1932 to Ralph and Mabel Peele McDonald; she graduated from Needham Broughton High School in 1950 and from Duke University in 1954, where she attended as an Angier B. Duke Scholar, a competitive, fully-paid, 4-year scholarship; she received one of Duke's highest honors as a member of the Order of the White Duchy and was recognized for her leadership and academic achievement with inclusion in Phi Kappa Delta, an honorary fraternity; she was also a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was active in alumni activities throughout her life; she married Thomas A. Oakley on December 22, 1954 in Raleigh; and

WHEREAS, Anne Oakley was stationed with her husband at several United States Air Force bases around the country; they returned to Quincy in August of 1957, and Anne provided her intellect and unwavering support to her husband as they worked to build Quincy Newspapers, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Anne Oakley was active in a number of community boards, serving as President of the Quincy Service League, the Anna Brown Home Women's Board, and the Friends of the Library; she served on boards associated with Cheerful Home and the United Way; she was a past President of the Illinois Women's Golf Association, a statewide golf organization with which she was associated for 30 years; she served on the Vestry of her church, St. John's Parish (the former St. John's Episcopal Church); she was a member of Quincy Country Club, the Island Club in Marco Island, Florida, and she and her husband were founding members of Naples National Golf Club in Florida; she was a past member of Friends in Council; and

WHEREAS, Anne Oakley enjoyed golf, playing bridge with the ladies of Murphy's Tables, and spending time with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Anne Oakley was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Tom; her brother, Charles Chalmers McDonald; her niece, Nancy Geoghegan Farish; her son-in-law, Stephen Young Winters; and her brother-in-law, Peter A. "Tony" Oakley; and

WHEREAS, Anne Oakley is survived by her husband, Tom; her son, Ralph McDonald Oakley, and his wife, Lisa, and their children, Allison Oakley Hall (Dustin) and Sullivan Smith Oakley; her daughter, Mary Oakley Winters, and her children, Thomas Lyle Van Ness (Lesley), Benjamin Beeson Van Ness (Amanda), Jonathan McDonald Van Ness, and Jennifer Winters Reekie (Kenny); her great-grandchildren, Isla Skye Reekie, Campbell Ian Reekie, Cora Westwater Reekie, Ailsa McCullough Reekie, Olivia Brin Van Ness, William Daniel Hall, and Sterling Thomas Van Ness; her sister, Mabel McDonald Geoghegan; her brother, Ralph "Bo" McDonald (Meg); her nieces, Mabel Geoghegan Pace (John) and Dr. Anna Coke McDonald; her brother-in-law, David R. Oakley, and his wife, Mary, and their children, David Oakley (Theresa), Mike Oakley (Ginny), Tim Oakley (Denise), Susan Gauthier (Vince), and Cathy Bunce (Gary); her sister-in-law, Signe Oakley, and her family, Peter Oakley, II (Judy) and Hal Oakley (Kathy); her sister-in-law, Shirley McDonald; and numerous great-nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Anne McDonald Oakley, 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 Anne Oakley as an expression of our deepest sympathy.