Record #: R2016-646   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 9/14/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 9/14/2016
Title: Tribute to late Sister Gwendolyn Durkin
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2016-646.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M Burke; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Chicago, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin was a widely admired member of the religious community; and

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin was the much-adored aunt of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and great-grand-nieces and nephews to whom she imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that she possessed in abundance; and

WHEREAS, Born on the South Side, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin attended St. Xavier University in Chicago and received her master's degree in sociology from Loyola University; and

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1949 and began to work at Mercy Hospital as a psychiatric social worker; and

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin was the CEO of Mercy Hospital during the 1960s and led the institution through times of challenge and change; and

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin temporarily sheltered and fed several hundred people who were stranded during Chicago's infamous 1967 snowstorm and helped to move the hospital to a new building in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin worked for the state of Illinois in children's services and as an assistant administrator at both Misericordia and Holy Cross Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin was also Mercy's Vice President of Human Resources where she worked on special projects before retiring; and

WHEREAS, In 2002 Sister Gwendolyn Durkin received the Woman of Mercy Award given by the Women's Board of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Sister Gwendolyn Durkin serve as an example to all; and

WHEREAS, Her love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Sister Gwendolyn Durkin to her family members, friends and all who knew her, and enabled her to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her many relatives, friends and admirers; and

WHEREAS, To her beloved family, Sister Gwendolyn Durkin 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 fourteenth day of September, 2016, do hereby commemorate Sister Gwendolyn Durkin 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 Gwendolyn Durkin.

Alderman - 14th Ward