Bill > SR0435

This memorial resolution mourns the passing of Mary Anne Brown, a dedicated community leader and social service professional from River Forest, Illinois, who died on May 11, 2025, at age 80. The resolution highlights her significant contributions, including serving as executive director of Hephzibah Home in Oak Park from 1976 to 2017, where she helped numerous children and families, established innovative foster care and adoption programs, and was particularly notable for accepting HIV-positive babies and facilitating adoptions by same-sex couples. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 25, 1944, Brown began her career as a novice with the Dominican Sisters before pursuing graduate studies in child psychology and working in community day care. The resolution acknowledges her lifelong commitment to serving families in crisis, her partnerships with local schools and law enforcement, and her reputation in the community as a "secular saint." The Illinois Senate formally expresses its condolences to her surviving family members, including her husband Max, son Cuyler, three grandsons, and several siblings, and resolves to present a copy of the resolution to her family as an expression of sympathy.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=435&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SR&SessionID=114&GA=104