Bill Text: IL SR1208 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Deborah Kay "Debbie" Maxwell of Springfield.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR1208 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR1208-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Deborah Kay "Debbie" Maxwell of
Springfield, who passed away on October 27, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell was born to Edna and Jimmie
Reynolds in Springfield on June 28, 1952; she graduated from
Springfield High School in 1970; she married Phil Maxwell on
December 3, 1977, becoming the stepmother to Norman and Bruce;
her family expanded when they had their daughters, Gretchen
and Beth; she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from
MacMurray College in Jacksonville in 1990; over the years, her
family hosted 20 exchange students from various countries, and
they welcomed a Russian exchange student Dasha (Daria) in
1994, who became a part of their family; and
WHEREAS, Although she had many jobs, Debbie Maxwell's true
calling was loving and caring for children; she taught
elementary school at Harvard Park and Owen Marsh for 10 years;
she served as a mother figure to many, including friends,
neighbors, students, church family, and anyone in need of
nurturing; and
WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell attended Southside Christian
Church in her earlier years; as an adult, she was an active

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member of Elliott Avenue Baptist Church and later Central
Baptist Church in Springfield; she taught Sunday school,
volunteered for a crisis pregnancy center, and participated in
Christian Bible Fellowship and women's circle; she also cooked
and served Wednesday night church dinners and hosted a yearly
dinner and reception for the Millikin University Choir; and
WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell loved music and sang in many
groups through the years, including the women's barbershop
chorus Harmony First, church choirs, the Maxwell family
quartet, and the Illinois Symphony Chorus; she participated in
the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians Conference at
Green Lake, Wisconsin for 26 years; she and her husband held
season tickets for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra; she
enjoyed art shows, museums, and theatrical performances,
embracing all the arts and passing her love of art and culture
to her children; and
WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell was an avid gardener and loved her
flowers, birds, gazing balls, fairy lights, whirligigs,
pinwheels, and wind chimes; she enjoyed traveling and
exploring the U.S. and abroad; she found joy in collecting
beautiful things and selecting thoughtful gifts for others;
her spiritual gift was hospitality, and her door was always
open to visits from family, friends, and neighbors; she
treasured baking with her children and grandchildren, and she

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made cookie trays and delivered them to the post office
workers at Christmas; she was a lifetime lover of animals and
had many pets; her favorite canine companion was her
Goldendoodle, Katie, who brought true joy to the last two
years of her life; and
WHEREAS, Debbie Maxwell was a beloved wife, mother,
grandmother, and friend to many; she was known for her way of
making each person she knew and met feel special, seen, and
loved; she will be remembered for her warm and fun presence
lighting up the room through her smile, fashion, humor, and
genuine joy in interacting with people; and
WHEREAS, At the time of her passing, Debbie Maxwell was
survived by her husband, Phil; her daughters, Gretchen
Phillips, Beth Maxwell, and Dasha (Daria) LaFave; her
stepsons, Norman Maxwell and Bruce Maxwell; her mother, Edna
Reynolds; her siblings, Coni Rogers and Lenny Reynolds; her
best friend of over 40 years, Janette Bolin; her grandchildren
Candice Maxwell, Veronica Rodriguez, Emily Maxwell, El
Maxwell, Amelia Phillips, Anneliese Phillips, Megan Heinemann,
and Henry LaFave; her nephews, Evan Stevens and Colin Rogers;
her godchildren, Dawnita and Christlynn Jackson; and her many
aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL

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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Deborah Kay "Debbie" Maxwell 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
presented to the family of Debbie Maxwell as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.