MEMORIAL-KAREN WARD, ED.D.

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0755

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SR0755
LRB104 21684 LAW 37252 r
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3
to learn of the death of Karen (Maloney) Ward, Ed.D. of Joliet,
4
who passed away on March 29, 2026; and

5

WHEREAS, Karen Ward, the daughter of John and Carol
6
Maloney, was born in 1967; she graduated from St. Francis
7
Academy in 1985; she earned her Master of Business
8
Administration and Doctor of Education from the University of
9
St. Francis; and

10

WHEREAS, Karen Ward dedicated her career to helping others
11
through her work at Guardian Angel Community Services in
12
Joliet, where she served the community with compassion,
13
strength, and unwavering magnanimity; more than a profession,
14
her work was her mission to bring hope, support, and dignity to
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those in need; through her leadership and generous spirit, she
16
touched countless lives; and

17

WHEREAS, Karen Ward became a passionate advocate for
18
cancer awareness in memory of her father, John Maloney, and
19
through her own cancer journey; since 2004, she participated
20
in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life and as a
21
Survivors' Dinner volunteer; she organized a holiday dinner
22
donation drive for Joliet Police Department officers through

SR0755
- 2 -
LRB104 21684 LAW 37252 r
1
Fit Foundation in Crest Hill, and she also served as a
2
commissioner for the Joliet Housing Authority, helping ensure
3
stability for residents in need; and

4

WHEREAS, Karen Ward was committed to her faith, as
5
witnessed by friends at Harmony Community Church; she enjoyed
6
spending time with her family and her friend, Sue, and she had
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a fondness for snickerdoodle cookies made by her aunt and
8
cousin, Helen and Karla; and

9

WHEREAS, Karen Ward will be remembered for her resilience,
10
her dedication, and her gentle kindness; and

11

WHEREAS, Karen Ward was preceded in death by her parents;
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her brother, Daniel; her uncles, C.J. Ericksen, Pete Vescovi,
13
Dominic Tortorici, and Robert Tierney; her aunts, Judy
14
Ericksen and Nora Tierney; and her cousin, Sueann Tierney
15
Bates; and

16

WHEREAS, Karen Ward is survived by her children, Chelsea
17
(Tim) Rusk and John Ward; her siblings, Colleen (Greg)
18
Bernhard, Kathy (the late Michael) Salela, and Steve Maloney;
19
her dear friend, Sue Purkart; her niece and nephews, Alyssa,
20
Nick, Matthew, Nathan, and David; her granddaughters, Emilia
21
and Kennedy; her godmother and aunt, Helen Vescovi; her aunt,
22
Marian (Ray) Peregoy; her uncle, Robert (Lynn) Ericksen; and

SR0755
- 3 -
LRB104 21684 LAW 37252 r
1
many cousins, including her dear cousin, Karla Button, and
2
friends; therefore, be it

3

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
4
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
5
Karen (Maloney) Ward, Ed.D. and extend our sincere condolences
6
to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be
7
it further

8

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9
presented to the family of Karen Ward as an expression of our
10
deepest sympathy.

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