Bill Text: IL SR1290 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Barbara Vanek.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-11-13 - Resolution Adopted [SR1290 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR1290-Introduced.html

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SR1290 LRB103 43160 ECR 76422 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Barbara Ann (Fox) Vanek, who passed
away on June 6, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek was born in Seymour, Indiana on
July 14, 1943 and was the only daughter of Harry and Alice Fox;
and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek attended Our Lady of Grace Academy
in Beech Grove, Indiana and graduated from Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods College in 1965; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek spent two years working as a
Catholic extension volunteer in Guymon, Oklahoma and, while
there, became lifelong friends with Claudia Zinnanni; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek moved to Chicago, where she met the
love of her life, Wayne Vanek, in 1969; she and Wayne married
at Childerley Chapel in Wheeling on December 10, 1972; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek and Wayne moved to Oak Park after
marrying and became active members of St. Catherine-St. Lucy
Church, where they raised their children and pioneered a
community, and she led the children's choir; and

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WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek served as the secretary of
Longfellow School in the early 1990s before joining RUSH
Medical Center as the office manager of the Youth Suicide
Prevention Program; she continued her career at RUSH, becoming
chief administrator of the Office of Research Compliance; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek served on the board of PCC
Community Wellness Center for 18 years, helping them expand
into multiple locations on Chicago's West Side, which included
Illinois' first freestanding Birth Center; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek loved to cultivate community
through her cooking and baking, which took the form of
homemade cakes and cookies for family, friends, neighbors, and
church functions; she also spent 16 years helping serve meals
at a Housing Forward, formerly PADS, overnight shelter; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek's cooking and baking were shared
across numerous tables and helped cultivate countless hours of
laughter and deep conversation whether those tables were set
for breakfast or playing cards or served as the place of
theological discussions; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Vanek is survived by her husband, Wayne;
her children, Nathan, Ray (Rachel), and Seth; her

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daughters-in-law, Allison Vanek, Hillary Stone, and Saunia
Powell; and her grandchildren, Alex Vanek and Sasha Vanek;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Barbara Ann (Fox) Vanek and extend our sincere condolences to
her family, friends and all who knew and loved her; and be it
further