SR0523 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0523 LRB097 16817 GRL 61998 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gwendolyn Rockingham of North Chicago, who passed away on December 19, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Rockingham was born on August 26, 1953, in Evanston; her parents were Tommie and Bertha Simmons; and

WHEREAS, As a child, Gwendolyn Rockingham and her family relocated to Waukegan, where she was a member of Gideon Church and active in the children's choir; she attended Whittier Grade School and Webster Junior High School before graduating from Waukegan High School; she later earned a Certificate in Accounting from the College of Lake County and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Educational Honor Society; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Rockingham was employed with AT & T for many years; she began her career as a Customer Service Representative; she retired as a Systems Technician High CAP Tester after 28 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Rockingham was a member of Mt. Sinai Institutional Baptist Church of North Chicago, where she served in the Choir, Down Home Weekend, Benevolence, and Couples Ministries; she enjoyed spending summers camping with her husband Leon, her family, and her friends, including the Ebony Dream Makers; she also served as the Treasurer of the Citizens for Leon Rockingham; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Rockingham was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Thomas "Skip" Simmons; and

WHEREAS,Gwendolyn Rockingham is survived by her husband of 36 years, Leon Rockingham, Jr., Mayor of the City of North Chicago; her children, Tameka (Sean) Wilson and Lea; her grandchildren, David, Brianna, and Terryn; her brothers, Gary (Patricia) Simmons and Ted (Mattie) Simmons; her sister, Patrice (Lynn) Dubose; and her many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; 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 Gwendolyn Rockingham; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Gwendolyn Rockingham as an expression of our sympathy.