SR0825 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0825 LRB094 21867 RAS 60299 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Marva Joyce Ryskiewicz of Waukegan on Thursday, September 21, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Ryskiewicz was a dance teacher known to hundreds of Lake County students; her career as a teacher of dance spanned 53 years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Ryskiewicz started her first dance studio just after her graduation from Waukegan High School in 1953; she was just 17 years old; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Ryskiewicz performed in the Chicago area for a number of years; tap dancing was her forte; and

WHEREAS, Her Applause with Marva Joyce Dance Studio opened in Waukegan in 1973 and was open until September of 2005, when Mrs. Ryskiewicz learned that she had brain cancer; and

WHEREAS, While undergoing radiation treatment and surgeries, Mrs. Ryskiewicz demonstrated her amazing spirit and love for dance in creating what she called "The Cancer Dance", which she literally choreographed from her bed in the intensive care unit; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Ryskiewicz was known for teaching her students what she knew about life; she talked about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, discussed relationships, animal rights, and other topics, and advised students to stay in school, go on to college, and to see the world; these informal lessons were sometimes called "Marva 101" by her students; and

WHEREAS, She was known as a true legend throughout her community; in addition to teaching so many students how to dance, she also taught them about life and how to be better people; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Sylvia Tersar; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Marva Joyce Ryskiewicz has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, John, and the many students whose lives she touched throughout the years, who were like children to her; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marva Joyce Ryskiewicz, and we extend our sincerest 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 her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy for their loss.