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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Marvelle Robertson, who passed away on
4 March 2, 2025; and
5 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson was born in St. Louis,
6 Missouri on February 1, 1926; she was raised by her maternal
7 grandparents, William "Papa" and Lillian "Mama" Buckner, who
8 bestowed upon her the values of discipline, education, and
9 reverence of faith; she later moved to Chicago with her
10 lifelong friends, Myrtle Hilliard and Sarah Skinner; and
11 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson, at the age of 19, began
12 working for Western Electric in Cicero after applying on a
13 whim and being hired on the spot; her work started on the
14 assembly line before blossoming into a groundbreaking career;
15 through determination and the support of a tuition
16 reimbursement program, she earned both her bachelor's degree
17 and her Master of Business Administration from Roosevelt
18 University; she became a pioneer in the corporate world as her
19 dedication and intellect propelled her into management at
20 AT&T, where she thrived until her early retirement during the
21 company's divestiture; and
22 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson was a savvy real estate
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1 investor, building a portfolio of properties in Hyde Park,
2 Lakeview, and Chicago's Gold Coast and securing a legacy of
3 stability and independence; after her distinguished career,
4 she moved from a home she built in Hinsdale to the Hancock
5 Residences, where she was a beloved resident for 25 years and
6 fully embraced the vibrancy of city life, strolling along the
7 Magnificent Mile, enjoying outdoor concerts at Millennium
8 Park, and savoring jazz performances in the Museum of
9 Contemporary Art courtyard; and
10 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson remained steadfastly committed
11 to her family; as a single mother, her greatest joy and purpose
12 were her children, Mark and Toi, and she worked tirelessly to
13 provide for them, ensuring they had every opportunity to
14 succeed; in her later years, she was the devoted caregiver of
15 her grandfather, who lived with her in Chicago until his
16 passing in 1991 at the age of 105; every year thereafter, she
17 honored his memory by celebrating his birthday with her
18 children, a tradition that reflected her deep respect for
19 family and heritage; and
20 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson was a longtime member of
21 Liberty Baptist Church, where she was active in the Liberty
22 Baptist Business and Professional Club and had the privilege
23 of hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak at the church in
24 the 1960s; and
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1 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson's love for French culture was
2 inspired by Josephine Baker, leading her to study the French
3 language, decorate her home with French art, and create
4 cherished memories in Paris; and
5 WHEREAS, Marvelle Robertson was a trailblazer, a devoted
6 mother, and a woman of profound faith whose life was a beacon
7 of perseverance, grace, and unwavering love; therefore, be it
8 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
9 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
10 Marvelle Robertson and extend our sincere condolences to her
11 family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
12 further
13 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of Marvelle Robertson as an expression
15 of our deepest sympathy.
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