HR0847 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0847 LRB102 27385 ECR 39175 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Desiree F. Gardner-Sankey, who passed away on April 12, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was born to Shirley and Nettie J. Fortenberry in Columbia, Mississippi on July 4, 1931; in an environment of separate schools and segregated lunch counters, she excelled both as a student and star athlete at Burglund High School in McComb, Mississippi; in her senior year, she led her all-girls basketball team to win the state's Big Ten Championship; she married James H. Sankey Sr., and their long marriage was one of love and laughter; and

WHEREAS, While in high school, Desiree Gardner-Sankey worked as a window decorator at a local clothing store and was soon trained to become a store clerk; on her first day as a salesperson, every white salesperson refused to work with her, walked off the floor, and resigned; after moving to Chicago to escape the oppression of the South, she worked at Roxy Cleaners on 43rd Street; later, she worked the overnight shift at Montgomery Ward, followed by a short stint at Spencer Press until the press relocated to Westmont; in 1965, she began her notable career at the U.S. Post Office as a part-time employee but quickly rose through the ranks to become a supervisor at the Bedford Park Facility; she retired after 43 years of service in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey joined the Faith Community of Saint Sabina in 1967 and became a faithful and devoted member, sacrificing to send her three children and a grandson to Catholic schools; and

WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was a woman of deep faith and deep compassion; she had always held a desire to become a nurse and, through her life, exhibited a deep compassion and caring for others, especially the elderly; she had an inner core of strength and resilience, as evidenced by her ability to persevere through all circumstances; she was a woman of wonder, dignity, determination, elegance, and grace who selflessly served her family, her community, and her faith; and

WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey is survived by her husband, James; her daughters, Jacqueline Y. Collins, Kai Yael (Andrew) Gardner-Mishlove, LaVese (Glenn) Jordan, and Shirley (Derrick) Wilkerson; her son, Sean M. Gardner; her brother, Earl C. Fortenberry; her grandchildren, Yolanda (Allen), Sean J. (Marniece), Berhane, Surya, Jnana, Dionta, Shantai, Brianna, Ava, Marlon, and Miracle; her nephews, Rock (Carla) Anderson and Earl (Georgia) Fortenberry Jr.; her nieces, Shirley (Rodney) Williams and Chervonda Fortenberry; her cousins, Barbara (Leo) Lowery, Billy McCorkle Sr., Patsy Jefferson, and Mary Jacobs (Earl) Oubre; her great-grandchildren; her great-nieces and great-nephews; her cousins; her friends; and her special schnauzer, Sasha; 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 Desiree F. Gardner-Sankey 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 Desiree Gardner-Sankey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.