Bill Text: IL SR0267 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Vater Mae Fite.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-28 - Resolution Adopted [SR0267 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0267-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Vater Mae Fite, who passed away on
January 17, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite was born in Carthage, Texas to Marvin
and Selma Connor on September 28, 1914; she was baptized at the
age of 7 at Mt. Zion CME Church in Carthage; she attended
Carthage Colored High School and was a lifelong student; she
married J.C. Lilly; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite moved to California during World War II
and worked as a welder of Navy battleship parts; she was proud
of the distinction of being a female welder; she married Grady
Fite; in 1950, upon the death of her second husband and the
conclusion of WWII, she settled in Maywood to be near her
children; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite worked for the State of Illinois as a
senior caregiver and retired after 30 years of service; she
returned to Texas to be a caregiver to her mother until her
passing; she then returned to Oak Park to reside with her
sister; in 2015, she moved to Plainfield, where she resided for
several years with her son and daughter-in-law; she then moved
to Alden of Waterford in Aurora; and

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WHEREAS, Vater Fite was a wonderful cook, loved music, and
had a wry sense of humor; she pursued many artistic endeavors,
including teaching herself to play the violin, sewing,
sculpting, wood carving, and painting; she attended courses at
the Art Institute of Chicago to master the art of watercolor
and oil painting; she participated in local art programs and
her work was recognized in the Oak Leaves newspaper; she was a
Featured Artist at the New Oak Park Public Library and was an
active member of the Oak Park Arms senior group and the Oak
Park Arts Council; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite was remembered on her 100th birthday by
the Governor of Illinois and President of the United States
Barack Obama; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite was affectionately known as "Grand";
she was an avid reader and loved to travel; she was a lifelong
baseball fan and cheered on her favorite team, the Chicago
Cubs, as they won the World Series in 2016; she enjoyed family
gatherings filled with music, games, debates, and a good nip of
gin; she was present at every family milestone, vacation, and
holiday; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite lived long enough to see her
great-great-grandchildren and to become matriarch of a large

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extended family that includes Illinois State Representative
Camille Lilly and great-grandson Evan Turner, a basketball
phenom at St. Joseph High School in Westchester and who plays
in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite was preceded in death by her parents;
her husband, Grady; her siblings, Herese, Inez, and Leon; her
daughters, Vater Jo, Billie June, and Gloria Marvis; and her
grandson, Darius LeRoi Lilly; and
WHEREAS, Vater Fite is survived by her son, LeRoy (Barbara)
Lilly; her grandchildren, Jerome Goodman, Iris James, Camille
Lilly, Brian Lilly, Karen (Jasmyn) Lilly, Kevin Neal (Jackie),
and April Braggs (Vincent); her great-grandchildren, Richard,
Darius, Evan, Briana, VJ, Briaja, and Brian II; her
great-great-grandchildren, Richard II and Aubrey; her nieces,
Joy Bell and Melody Conners; and numerous great-nieces and
nephews; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Vater Mae Fite and extend our sincere condolences to her
family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

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presented to the family of Vater Fite as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.