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1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Frances
4 "Fran" Sullivan of Oak Park, who passed away on January 16,
5 2025; and
6 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan was born as the third child of the
7 Gannon family on September 22, 1935; she was raised in Mingo,
8 Iowa; after graduating from Marycrest College in Davenport,
9 Iowa in 1958, she moved to Chicago; she married Monroe "Moe"
10 Sullivan, and they settled in Oak Park in 1964; they later
11 began spending time in Kilauea-Kona, Hawaii in 1985,
12 eventually purchasing two condos right on the ocean, where
13 they spent every winter surrounded by family and friends; and
14 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan thrived as a political activist in
15 many areas, including peace, fair housing, women's rights, gun
16 safety, good government, and democratic politics, and a
17 highlight of her public commitment came when she served as a
18 challenge delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention;
19 she worked tirelessly and passionately for the causes that
20 concerned and interested her; she canvassed door-to-door,
21 served on multiple boards, attended countless meetings, raised
22 money, and volunteered for organizations working to make life
23 better for all; some of her most meaningful support was
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1 directed to her beloved parish of St. Catherine-St. Lucy,
2 where she was a student mentor at the school and supported the
3 computer lab and the new Neighborhood Bridge organization
4 housed there; and
5 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan's inspiring, enthusiastic, and
6 energetic leadership helped create the Peace Museum in Chicago
7 and Amate House; she served as an independent voice and the
8 only woman on the Triton Community College Board of Trustees
9 and spearheaded the campaign to restrict handguns in Oak Park;
10 she was a board member of Family Services and Mental Health of
11 OPRF, now known as Thrive, and a member of the League of Women
12 Voters for 50 years; she supported local non-profits,
13 including Growing Community Media, Beyond Hunger, Housing
14 Forward, Sarah's Inn, the Oak Park Art League, and the
15 Children's Dental Initiative of The Infant Welfare Society of
16 Oak Park; she also loved being part of the recently created
17 Women Leaders in Philanthropy; and
18 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan was known for her ability to
19 connect with people, and she was a great neighbor whose warmth
20 and skill in involving others in the community while
21 maintaining her deep commitment to social justice and
22 philanthropy inspired new generations of Oak Park residents;
23 she enjoyed playing online scrabble with her out-of-town
24 friends and swimming at the Ridgeland Common, where she was
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1 proud to be the oldest of the early morning swimmers; for
2 almost 60 years, she kept everyone in her extended community
3 connected by her annual newsletter, lovingly updating everyone
4 on the successes of her progeny; and
5 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan's legacy will live on in the lives
6 she touched, the causes she championed, and the enduring love
7 of her family and friends; and
8 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan was preceded in death by her
9 husband of 49 years, Moe, and her siblings, Mary-Alice,
10 Teresa, and Bill; and
11 WHEREAS, Fran Sullivan is survived by her daughter, K.T.
12 (Chris Bing) Sullivan; her sons, John (Vicki Scaman) Sullivan,
13 Monroe (Melissa) Sullivan, and Patrick (the late Dawn)
14 Sullivan; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; her
15 sister, Joan Gannon; many nieces and nephews; family friends,
16 Dave (Satish Prabhu) Stanger and Cass Scaman; and her
17 companion, Adam Santoro; therefore, be it
18 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19 HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20 we mourn the passing of Frances "Fran" Sullivan and extend our
21 sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
22 and loved her; and be it further
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