SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MARGARET M. OTTMAN

S2194

2026 -- S 2194
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LC004395
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MARGARET M. OTTMAN

Introduced By:
Senators Thompson, Murray, Mack, Appollonio, Raptakis, DiPalma,
Ujifusa, Zurier, Urso, and DiMario

Date Introduced:
January 22, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of
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Margaret M. Ottman of Bellingham, Massachusetts. She was the beloved wife of the late H.
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Raymond “Ray” Ottman for 39 years; and
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WHEREAS, Margaret Ottman was born in Schenectady, New York in 1927, the daughter
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of the late Charles and Isabella Gibson. Mrs. Ottman was a skilled professional who worked
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tirelessly to provide for her family and loved ones. She worked at the Schenectady Army Depot
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from 1944 to 1965, where she met her husband, and she worked from 1965 to 1982 at the United
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States Army Natick Research Laboratories Military Personnel, retiring after 38 years of
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distinguished Federal Government Civilian Service; and
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WHEREAS, In her retirement, she learned to make quilts and became quite skilled at
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making them. Her quilts were lovingly made for her family and many friends as well as
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generously donated to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. She also spent many years quilting with
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the Glockner women and later with the Bellingham Senior Center; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Ottman was known to all as “Nana” as she devoted her life to loving
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and taking care of her husband, children, siblings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She
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will be remembered as a beacon of joy, warmth, and generosity and she will be sorely missed by
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all who knew her; and
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WHEREAS, Margaret Ottman leaves behind her daughter Nancy Phillips, and her
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husband, the Honorable Rhode Island State Representative Robert Phillips, her grandchildren,
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Cindy Ottman Sweet and her husband, Joseph, Steven Ottman, and Matthew Phillips, as well as

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her great-grandchildren, Selena Sweet, Douglas Sweet, Skylar Ryan, Devin Phillips, Garrett
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Ottman, Lukas Ottman and her great-great-grandchildren, Bebhionn Lynn Downer and Maggie
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Sweet. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Margaret Ottman was predeceased
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by her husband, H. Raymond Ottman, her children, Linda Ottman and Douglas Ottman, her
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grandson, Timothy Phillips, and her brother, Charles Gibson; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest
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condolences on the passing of Mrs. Margaret M. Ottman; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Nancy Phillips and Family.
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