RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Merrilee Patterson Crain has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of sixty-nine; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A woman of dignity, grace and charm, Merrilee Patterson Crain was a widely admired business and civic leader; and
WHEREAS, Merrilee Patterson Crain served as a Board Member and Secretary of Crain Communications, Incorporated, the publisher of trade, consumer and business papers; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Winnetka, Merrilee Patterson Crain graduated from New Trier High School and the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston; and
WHEREAS, Merrilee Patterson Crain worked in the engineering department of IBM in Evanston and first met her future husband, Ranee, on a blind date in 1965; and
WHEREAS, The couple married and eventually settled in Lake Forest where they raised two daughters, Heather and Cindi; and
WHEREAS, Merrilee Patterson Crain was active in civic affairs and played an instrumental role in raising the profile of the Gourmet Gala benefiting the March of Dimes in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, A generous supporter of the arts who painted and wrote poetry, Merrilee Patterson Crain was a board member of both the Hubbard Street Dance Company and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Merrilee Patterson Crain helped design her family's Bermuda-style home in Windemere, Florida, and served on the Board of the Orlando Museum of Art; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Merrilee Patterson Crain serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, To her loving husband, Ranee, her two daughters, Heather and Cindi, her mother, Frances, her brother, Pat, and her six grandchildren, Merrilee Patterson Crain 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 eighth day of November, 2012, do hereby commemorate Merrilee Pa...
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