WHEREAS, On Friday, January 11, 2013, the Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom
called to her eternal journey, Sylvia Branch Washington; and £2' gj
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WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this by 18,h Ward' ^ Alderman Lona Lane; and
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WHEREAS, Sylvia was born on March 4, 1956 to the proud parents of James, and IT Leora Branch. She accepted Christ at a very young age, and was a member of Trinity ** Church of Christ under the leadership of Pastor Otis Moss III. Sylvia had a special relationship with the Lord. In her youth, she sang lead in the family choir, gave prophecy and even gave sermons; and
WHEREAS, She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1974. She attended Daley College in pursuit of an Associate Degree while maintaining a 4.0 G.P.A. She loved her job and never took time off even while pursuing her degree. She was united in marriage to Aaron Washington on July 11,1987. No children were born into their union instead God gave her a large family to mother; and
WHEREAS, Sylvia worked at The Core of Engineers because of her academic excellence. She began her climb up the ladder of success working for various companies including Continental Bank and Heller Financial until she reached the 18th Ward. Hired as a part-time receptionist, she served under 18th Ward Alderman Thomas Murphy for fourteen years. Through her dedication to the 18th Ward, she became the 40lh precinct captain and Chief of Staff to Alderman Lane. She made friends with all she came in contact with; and
WHEREAS, Upon Election of Alderman Lona Lane, she stayed on and served as Chief of Staff to the 18lh Ward. Sylvia sat on the board of directors for Wrightwood Community Development Corporation and Commissioner for Southwest Guaranteed Home Equity. She worked closely with developers on planning economic community growth. Her life was well spent serving, loving and taking care of others. She was a woman of substance who loved to read and entertain. She was always very supportive of her siblings and attended numerous events. She was fond of her God daughter Carolyn Stewart, her two adopted daughters Lil' Charlotte and Doris McCann and adopted son Marcellus Lane; and
WHEREAS, Sylvia with a few close friends formed the Waiting To Exhale Club consisting of herself, Sheryl Atkins, Delgretta Douglas, Brenda Ingram, Lona Lane, Charlotte McCann, and Carolyn Mingledorf. Throughout their friendship, they enjoyed movies, comedy clubs, dinner, dancing and birthday celebrations. They were inseparable. Sylvia shared her abundance of love with family, friends, and co-workers; and
WHEREAS, Sylvia was preceded in death by her father and stepfather; two brothers; and a sister; grandmothers and grandfathers. She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Leora Lockett; a husband, Aaron Washington; Aaron Branch (Deborah), Doretha (Michael) Davis, Betty Sanders, Cynthia Smith, Shelia (Jack) Jackson, Caryscine Branch (Juanita), Kevin Branch, Kenneth Branch, and Christopher Branch;
twenty nine nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; and a host of friends; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here in assembly this thirteenth day of March, 2013 A.D., do hereby express our sorrow on the passing of Sylvia B. Washington and extend to her family and friends our deepest sympathy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Sylvia Branch Washington's family.
Lona Lane
18th Ward Alderman