SR0065 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0065 LRB097 10347 KXB 50560 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Avril Marie "Babe" Baker of Joliet, who passed away on February 4, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was born on November 17, 1930, the daughter of the late Armstrong "Bud" and Hazel Hile; she graduated from St. Francis Academy; in 1953, she met Dick Baker, a United States Marine who had served in Korea; she and Dick were married at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus Parish in Joliet on October 9, 1954; and

WHEREAS, She was always happiest when in the presence of her family; for years, she and her husband assembled the Murphy Acres Munchkins for backyard Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations; and

WHEREAS, She helped rescue and serve countless abused and abandoned animals; she was one of the founding members of the Will County Humane Society, and served on its Board of Directors for more than forty years; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her son, Greg; and

WHEREAS, Avril Baker is survived by her beloved husband, Dick; their three devoted sons, Mark (Denise) Baker, Fr. Brad Baker, and Todd (Kim) Baker; their daughter-in-law, Beth Baker; her three grandchildren, Richard Baker, and Bryan and Brianna Baker; her sister, Marilyn (late Don) Stein; her brother, Larry (Evelyn) Hile; and she was a devoted aunt to many nephews and nieces; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Avril Baker; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Avril Baker as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.