RESOLUTION HONORING PETRONELLA BERTHA BLUMER ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, Petronella Bertha Blumer, (Peppie Tomaszewski), was born on February 14, 1916;and
WHEREAS, Petronella will be celebrating the momentous occasion of her 100th birthday on February 14, 2016 and family and friends will gather on this day to honor her on this occasion; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of this occasion by the Honorable Nicholas Sposato, esteemed Alderman of the 38th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Petronella was born in her childhood Niles home at 174 Evergreen Avenue, the daughter of Joseph (an ice man/bartender), and Bertha (a model/housewife), and sister of Mildred and Jerome; and
WHEREAS, Petronella enjoyed a childhood rich in tradition, often reminiscing about Christmas Eves spent decorating the family tree with popcorn and cranberries strung together with needle and thread, singing Christmas Carols around the large Christmas tree outside the Niles Village Hall, and receiving a brown paper bag containing an orange, a pencil and pencil holder as her only Christmas presents; and
WHEREAS, Petronella fondly spoke of her winter afternoons after school ice skating down the Des Plaines River with her brother Jerome where they would light a fire to cook potatoes and upon returning from skating would be warmed by the fire as they ate their blackened potatoes, along with berries picked from nearby trees; and
WHEREAS, Petronella's very first job was as a nightclub coat checker before being employed at Stewart Warner in Chicago where as part of the war effort she assembled speedometers for military vehicles, her last job was with Illinois Tool Works (ITW), where she assembled switches until she retired in 1986; and
WHEREAS, Petronella met and married the love of her life, Edward Eugene Blumer and began their life together in Chicago where they managed an apartment building at 4145 N. Sheridan Road while raising five beautiful children: Roger, Edward, Richard, Mary Beth and Janice (identical twins) until moving in 1966 to 4131 N. Monitor Avenue where Petronella resides today; and
WHEREAS, Petronella was an active member of St. Mary of the Lake Church and School at Sheridan Road and Buena, participating in the PTA, Ladies Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, fundraisers and bake sales, working in the rectory and preparing lunches for the teachers; and
WHEREAS, Petronella lives her life in awe of all that she has seen and been through with the most gratitude for the family she has created and continues to celebrate life by enjoying four grandchildren: Roger Dean, Jeanne, Edward and Michael, seven great grandchildren: Kelly, Kyle, Jessi, Christopher, Greyson, Everly and Barrett, five great-great grandchildren: Ava, Hudson, Campbell, Hayden and Ella; and
WHEREAS, Petronella is known for her unconditional love of family, the desire to help anyone in need, her cooking and Polish heritage, love of the holidays and traditions, cross stitching, gardening, flowers, trees and being an avid Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks and Bears fan; and
WHERAS, Petronella is the family matriarch, a "rock" and hero to her kids, and the inspiration and source of delight and comfort to many, and is wished continued health and happiness to share with her family and friends.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here in assembly this 13th day of January, 2016, A.D., do hereby express our gratitude and convey our deep respect to Petronella Bertha Blumer as she commemorates this milestone birthday.
Alderman, 38th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation to Petronella Bertha Blumer.
