SR0558 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0558 LRB093 22294 HSS 51356 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with great sadness of the untimely death of Mary Jo Novak of Rock Island on Sunday, April 25, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mary Jo was born on November 29, 1954, in Decorah, Iowa, to Robert and Iona (Zweibahmer) Kubesh; she married Larry Novak on July 6, 1974, in Calmer, Iowa; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Novak received her bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in reading, language arts, and social studies from Marycrest University in 1988, cum laude; she earned a master's degree in education administration from Western Illinois University; she also held an administrative certificate; and

WHEREAS, Since 1991, Ms. Novak had been employed at Lincoln Elementary School in Rock Island, where she was building supervisor for both the Minority Teacher's Inventive Program and the Reading is Fundamental Program; she had recently been named principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Novak leaves behind many lasting memories and legacies, one of them her never ending enthusiasm; she enjoyed coordinating a "book room" where teachers could check out books based on their students' reading level; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Novak was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island; she was proud of her children and their many accomplishments; she took pride in cultivating close personal relationships with her friends and colleagues, and she was a "rock" for many of her friends and was always willing to lend an ear; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Mary Jo Novak has been deeply felt by many, especially her daughters, Melinda Atkinson, Nicole (Juan) Moreno, and Caroline Novak; her son, Bradley Novak; her sister, Connie (Joe) Becker; her brothers, John (Joni) Kubesh, Don (Donna) Kubesh, Frank (Monica) Kubesh, and Ken Kubesh; her mother, Iona (Zweibahmer) Kubesh; her grandchildren, Teigan Atkinson and Bryce Moreno; and her special friend, Enyo Dewith; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mary Jo Novak, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, students, colleagues, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Jo Novak as an expression of our sincerest condolences.