SR0355 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0355 LRB101 07116 MST 52153 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Florence M. O'Neil Brannon on December 9, 2018 at the age of 98; and

WHEREAS, Florence Brannon was born on October 9, 1920 to James and Mary O'Neil, the oldest of their three daughters, in Ludlow, Massachusetts; she was salutatorian of the Ludlow High School class of 1937, and, in 1941, graduated from UMass-Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics (now Food Science); she was a member and officer of Chi Omega sorority; and

WHEREAS, In 1942, Florence Brannon was recruited by the United States Department of Agriculture, where she served for six years as a food inspector of California Canneries; in this role, she ensured that the foods delivered to the U.S. military from San Diego to the Oregon border were Grade A; she relished the "good deal of freedom" the position gave her; while living in San Francisco, she married Richard Brannon, a ship's engineer in the Merchant Marines; and

WHEREAS, Florence Brannon, after the birth of her son, earned a master's degree in management at The Ohio State University; she resumed her career with the federal government as a dietician for Northampton V.A. Medical Center, where she worked for 35 years, eventually becoming the chief dietician supervising the 65 staff members; and

WHEREAS, Florence Brannon was active for many years in the American Dietetic Association and Zonta International, a service group focused on empowering women around the world; following her retirement in 1985, she became a great traveler, visiting family, friends, and historic places across the United States as well as in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including a favorite trip to the Great Wall of China; and

WHEREAS, In December 2002, Florence Brannon moved to Oak Park to be near family; she was considered very observant and pleasant; in celebration of her 98th birthday, she ordered Chinese food with champagne and creme brulee for all; and

WHEREAS, Florence Brannon was preceded in death by her son, Richard, and by her sisters, Alice Marshall and Marion (Paul) Scholten; and

WHEREAS, Florence Brannon is survived by her brother-in-law, James Marshall, as well as many nieces and nephews and other loved ones; 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 Florence M. O'Neil Brannon, 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 Florence Brannon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.