HR0558 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0558 LRB103 35323 LAW 65372 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Clementina Veronica Mulholand Brown of Springfield, who passed away on November 3, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown was born to Cornelius Mulholand and Clementina "Mull" Mulholand in Ripon, California on December 15, 1932; she frequently worked with her father at the Ripon cattle auction yard, enjoyed raising animals such as goats, ponies, and rabbits, and belonged to her family's popular, award-winning mounted horseback Palomino Horse Troop; she graduated from Ripon High School in 1950, where she helped lead the debate team to achieving first place in the 1949 statewide invitational championship; she studied nursing science at San José State University and graduated with a degree in nursing from O'Connor Hospital School of Nursing in 1953; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown met Lowell Jerome Brown, M.D. while working at Mercy Hospital in San Jose, and they were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ripon, California on July 21, 1962; her husband became a physician in the U.S. Navy, and together, they worked and lived in various Central and Southern California locations before settling in San Diego and beginning a family by adopting Neil in 1965, with Brendan following in 1966, Caitlin in 1968, and Terence in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown and her family transferred to Subic Bay, the Philippines, for a two-year tour of duty in 1974; over the course of their stay, she and her husband visited India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Penang, Thailand, and Hong Kong, often bringing one or two of their young children with them; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown settled in Springfield, Illinois in 1979; she and her husband built a trio of general practitioner medical practices, and she served as head RN of those offices in Springfield, Riverton, and Illiopolis; she concluded her medical career as chief of nurses at the Springfield Presbyterian Home before retiring at age 75; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown continued traveling with her husband in retirement; they visited Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Morocco, and she loved regaling listeners with her adventures; she enjoyed spending time with her beloved cats, Big Cat, Rajah, and Autumn Sunflower, and tending to her 1-acre yard; she was an avid reader of books and adored devouring her weekly issue of The New Yorker; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown was an advocate for women's rights, special education, LGBTQ equality, and support for shelter animals; she will be remembered as a fiercely intelligent, curious, and graceful woman who lived a full and dignified life; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years; and her older sisters, Patricia Lewis, Noreen Smith, and Eileen Marcella Lowery; and

WHEREAS, Veronica Mulholand Brown is survived by her children, Neil Mulholand Brown, Brendan Jerome Brown, Caitlin Veronica (Brown) Horton, and Terence Daley Brown; her daughter-in-law, Julie Refine Brown; her sisters, Sharon Groen and Kathleen Funke; her grandchildren, Jourdan K. Horton, Veronica R. Horton, Andrew J. Cline, Anna K. Brown, Neil R. Brown, and Clare V. Brown; her great-grandson, Archie; and several beloved nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Clementina Veronica Mulholand Brown 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 Veronica Mulholand Brown as an expression of our deepest sympathy.