MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR DR. BARBARA BROWN
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members of this Chamber learned of die death of Dr. Barbara Colleen Brown (nee Leavitt), on May 5, 2016, at the age of sixty-one; and
WHEREAS, 'The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman of the 39lh Ward; and
WHEREAS, Barbara was born on October 30, 1954, to the late J. W. and Colleen L. (nee Cox) Leavitt, in Red Bud, Illinois. She wed her husband, Richard A. Brown on August 14,1976; and
WHEREAS, She earned her doctorate from Southern Illinois University in 1985, remaining at the University as a Professor in the Department of Political Science for over a decade teaching courses on American government for international students; and
WHEREAS, Barbara served as Randolph County Circuit Court Clerk from 2000-2012, and is remembered as a key figure in local, state, and national electoral polidcs; and
WHEREAS, During her lifetime, Barbara held many roles in the Democratic Party, as Vice-Chair for the Democratic Party of Illinois, Co-Founder and President of Southwestern Illinois Democratic Women, Founder and President of Southern Illinois Democratic Women, Precinct Committeewoman and former Chairwoman of the Randolph County Democratic Central Committee, and Treasurer for the Pierre Menard Democrat Club; and
WHEREAS, At the time of her passing, Barbara was President of the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership, where she was instrumental in developing the curriculum and programming and served as a mentor and guide to countless women who sought elected office; and
WHEREAS, Barbara was a force in national politics, a nine-time delegate to the Democratic National Convention, a two-time candidate for Illinois State Senate District 58, and serving notable roles in the campaigns of President Bill Clinton (1992 and 1996) and of President Barack Obama (2008 and 2012); and
WHEREAS, Barbara also demonstrated a commitment to her community, establishing the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Randolph County, serving on the Chester Public Library Board of Trustees, starting and leading the Chester Aces 4-H club, being a longtime member of Rotary International and an organizing member of the DAR Liberty of the West Chapter; and
WHEREAS, Barbara was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ellis Grove, Illinois, where she played the organ for over 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Barbara leaves to cherish her memory Richard A. Brown of Chester; three sons, [ay (Gabriella) Brown, Matthew (Ann) Brown, and Nathaniel Brown; two grandchildren, Leavitt and Alette; six siblings, John Todd, Carl Todd, Shelby Powell, joann Meyer, Karen Stallman and Rebecca Dudenbostel; and a host of family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Barbara touched the lives of all who knew her through her intellect, heart and spirit. She will be deeply missed, but memories of her will live on in those who knew and loved her; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 20th day of ]uly, 2016, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Barbara Brown; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the family of Dr. Barbara Brown as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.
MARGARET LAURINO Alderman, 39th Ward