SR0117 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0117 LRB101 10959 ALS 56135 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson of Urbana, who passed away on February 2, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was born in Champaign to Joseph Leo and Hattie Virginia (Thompson) Hassell on October 6, 1940; she graduated from Champaign High School, now Central High School, on June 5, 1958; immediately following graduation, she began working in the Office of Admissions and Records at the University of Illinois; she retired as assistant to the director of admissions in 1995; in 1997, she returned to the University of Illinois to work part time for the director of development in the School of Social Work, where she remained until 2004; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was instrumental in the integration of Urbana Schools, the first in the State of Illinois; she served on and was the chair of the City of Urbana Human Relations Commission; she served at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church with her husband for 53 years; she returned to her childhood church, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, three years ago; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Joan Hassell Alexander; and two of her nephews, Brian A. and Kerry L. Alexander; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson is survived by her husband of 59 years, Carlos; her children, Carlos Franklin (Mae Nunnery) Donaldson Jr., Carletta Jo Donaldson, and Dennis Keith (Denise Stanley) Donaldson; her grandchildren, Ryan Carlos, Blake Donaldson, Chad (Kathy Boetcher) Pellum, Amber (Justin) Duncan, and Kyle Pellum; her brothers, Joseph L. and Charles E. (Betty J. Lewis) Hassell; and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson 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 Willeta Donaldson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.