Record #: R2020-976   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 12/16/2020 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 12/16/2020
Title: Tribute to late Katrinka L. Harris-Spurlin
Sponsors: Austin, Carrie M.
Attachments: 1. R2020-976.pdf

MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF KATRINKA LEONIE HARRIS-SPURLIN

WHEREAS, Katrinka L. Harris-Spurlin, loving aunt, sister, adoring wife, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, transitioned on October 21, 2020, at the age of 58; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Katrinka's passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman ofthe 34th Ward; and

WHEREAS, Katrinka, or "Kitty Pretty" as she was affectionately known by all, was born in Chicago on December 5, 1961, to the union of Kenneth Leo Harris and Delores Murphy Harris, and grew up on 74th and Vernon on the South Side of the City; and

WHEREAS, At a young age, Katrinka was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church; she and her younger brother Michael were both active members of the church, serving as acolytes at Sunday Services, attending Sunday school, and going on Lutheran youth trips, which allowed Katrinka to make lasting friendships and develop an everlasting faith; and

WHEREAS, Katrinka began her education at Tanner Elementary before transferring to and graduating from Arthur Dixon Elementary School; she then went on to graduate from Luther South High School, a school across the City where she was a member of the cheerleading squad; and

WHEREAS, After high school, Katrinka attended Eastern Illinois University, where she was active in Greek Life, pledging as a Silhouette under the Delta Chi chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Katrinka later transferred to Lewis University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and remained active in Greek Life, winning the crown of the Spring 1984 Miss Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated for the lota Eta Chapter, and becoming the Dean of lota Eta's first line of Silhouettes; and

 

WHEREAS, Katrinka returned to Chicago after graduation and took a job with United Airlines working as a Crew Scheduler; soon after, she transferred to Denver, Colorado where she was welcomed by her cousins who helped her settle into her new life; Katrinka remained at United Airlines for 33 years, and was recently promoted to Senior Crew Scheduler before her passing; and

 

WHEREAS, It was in Denver that Katrinka met her soul mate, Elijah "Eli" Spurlin; the couple joined in holy matrimony on August 12, 1995, and celebrated their union under a double rainbow, surrounded by childhood friends and family; and

WHEREAS, Katrinka and Eli settled down in Aurora, Colorado where they purchased a home and remained active in their church and with Eli's fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, with Katrinka becoming President of the Kappa Alpha Psi Denver Alumni Chapter Silhouettes; and

 

WHEREAS, Katrinka entered a new phase of her life when she was initiated into the Denver Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 2005; she served on various committees, including Founders' Day, Social Action, and Sisterhood, and enjoyed a life filled with family, friends, and Sorors for the next 15 years; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2010, Katrinka and Eli moved back to her family home on Vernon Avenue in Chicago to assist her aging father; in Chicago, Katrinka became active in the Chicagoland

 

 

Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she served as the Founders' Day Decoration Committee Chair every year and increased her friendship circle with more loving friends; even though she was back in Chicago, Denver always held a place in her heart; and

WHEREAS, Katrinka loved traveling and visited not only several major US cities, including Washington D.C, New Orleans, Dallas, and San Francisco, but also European cities such as Nice, Venice, London, and the Vatican City; she and Eli honeymooned in Jamaica; St. Thomas; Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii; the Jekyll Islands; and Atlanta, Georgia; and the couple regularly returned to Denver and visited Eli's family in Albany, Georgia; they also traveled to Hollywood where Katrinka presented the United Airlines' Donation check at the Jerry Lewis Telethon; and

WHEREAS, In August, 2020 Katrinka and Eli celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary at a tented outdoor party organized by her nieces and nephew; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, Katrinka was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and fought valiantly for the next year, undergoing bouts of radiation and chemotherapy; she was able to return home to her adoring family, and even returned to work for a month before her condition worsened and she returned to the hospital where she transitioned; and

WHEREAS, Katrinka is preceded in death by her parents, and leaves to mourn her passing her beloved husband of 25 years, Elijah Spurlin; her sister, Freddrenna M. Lyle; her brother, Michael Kenneth Harris, Sr.; two aunts, Jacqueline Murphy and Joyce Frazier; sisters-in-law, Mildred McGill (James, deceased), Betty Wiggins (Norman, deceased), Bessie Warren, Prophetess Clara Costello, Aldene Lanier (Harvey), Annie Doris Spurlin, Barbara Lynn Rouse (Charlie); Brothers-in-law, Willie Warren (Elizabeth), Joseph Warren (Virginia), Jake Warren, Jr., Larry Spurlin, and Walter Spurlin (Sarah); and children who called her aunt and a host of nieces and nephews across the Country and in the Chicagoland community, including those she saw daily: LaChelle D. Shegog-Harris (Ellis); Michael K. Harris, Jr. (J'Arnay); Annina D. Harris; LaTasha Binion; LaToya Johnson; and Angelo Howard, Sr., who were all her babies until they ceded their titles to her great-niece and nephews, Kyndle Shegog-Hudson; Jada Samuels; Tyler Samuels; Angelo Howard, Jr.; and Malik Ares Ramses, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Katrinka was sweet, loving, and friendly to all who met her and she leaves a legion of friends, Sorors, co-workers, flight attendants, and neighbors who mourn her passing; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this sixteenth day of December, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Katrinka Leonie Harris-Spurlin; and

CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Katrinka Leonie Harris-Spurlin as a sign of our honor and respect.