RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen A. Turlish has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen A. Turlish was a tenacious advocate on behalf of victims of sexual abuse by the clergy; and
WHEREAS, A native of Philadelphia, Sister Maureen A. Turlish was the beloved daughter of the late Paul and Mary, nee Dunn; and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen A. Turlish was the sister of Paul Turlish and the aunt of James Paul Turlish, Jenine Steltz and Kelly Ann Turlish Lampe; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sister Maureen A. Turlish graduated with a degree in English and secondary education from Trinity Washington University before earning a master's degree in art education from the University of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, In 2002 Sister Maureen A. Turlish was working as an art teacher in Wilmington, Delaware when the publication of a Boston Globe investigative series prompted her to launch a wide-ranging effort to support victims of sexual abuse and bring their abusers to justice; and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen A. Turlish wrote letters to the editors of major newspapers decrying a lack of moral leadership within the Church and appeared at conferences for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP); and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen A. Turlish organized protests outside the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and played a pivotal role in the passage of a 2007 Child Victims Law which removed the criminal statute of limitations in the State of Delaware for child sex abuse; and
WHEREAS, The advocacy, hard work and dedication of Sister Maureen A. Turlish serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen A. Turlish will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To her beloved family, Sister Maureen A. Turlish imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twentieth day of September, 2018, do hereby commemorate Sister Maureen A. Turlish for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sister Maureen A. Turlish.
Aldefanan - 14** Ward