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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE, PIONEERING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MEMORY OF HELEN HEYRMAN
WHEREAS, Helen Heyrman, a woman whose life was devoted to faith, family and her community died at the age of 93 leaving behind countless friends, family and a community profoundly enriched for having known her; and
WHEREAS, Helen Heyrman was a dedicated advocate and early leader in the field of aging. She helped found the National Association for Home Care and Hospice and she was honored throughout her life with twenty-eight national, state and local awards for her leadership in the field of aging. Helen Heyrman was one of the first few honored in the field when she was inducted into the first class of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice Hall of Fame in 2011 along with Mother Teresa, President William Clinton and Senator Edward M. Kennedy. For over a decade Helen served on the Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of the Suburban Area Agency on Aging, which is now known as AgeOptions; and
WHEREAS, Helen Heyrman was an innovator, leader and a creative motivator. She made it possible for others to become leaders. She facilitated organizational and personal relationships for the benefit of quality services for the aging community. While she was Executive Director of what is now known as the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council, Helen Heyrman worked diligently to provide high standards and excellence in patient care. The IHHC organization annually honors accomplishment in the field by conferring an award named in her honor to an outstanding agency in Illinois. Helen Heyrman was a two-time recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence, a past delegate to the White House Conference on Aging and a past president of the Illinois Gerontology Consortium; and
WHEREAS, Helen Heyrman was legendary in her tireless commitment to her faith; she was an active member and fixture at St. Mary's Catholic Church, serving as chair of their Peace and Justice Committee. Along with her late husband Don, she was honored as Vision Keeper by the Evanston Ecumenical Council and was in national leadership for over fifteen years of the Christian Family Movement; andWHEREAS, Helen Heyrman was a strong advocate for peace and civil rights. She considered her work promoting civil rights to be among her greatest and most worthwhile endeavors. Helen proudly marched alongside the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Helen Heyrman was a treasured and enthusiastic member of the League of Women Voters. Few members could equal her commitment to the organization and the values it advances. Until very recently, Helen regularly hosted League members to raise the funds necessary to promote the work of the League. She was a member of the League of Women Voters of Evanston for over 63 years and earlier in her life was a founder of the League chapter in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, Helen and her husband Don Heyrman were married in 1946 and raised five children: Mark, Anne, Paul, John and Mary. The family moved to Evanston in 1960 where they contributed tirelessly and became cherished pillars of the community. Helen and her husband Don, who preceded her in death in 2010 were beloved grandparents to Risa, Kirk, Matthew, Michael, Emily, Elizabeth, Christopher and Alex and were the proud great-grandparents to Schafer, Bennett and Priya; and
WHEREAS, those who shared Helen Heyrman's life and knew of her selfless humanity and the appeal of her remarkable sense of humor will be comforted to know that those who were not so fortunate will be regularly introduced to or reminded of her capability and kindness by the institutions she created, the work that she accomplished and the award that bears her name and honors her values; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of Helen Heyrman, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions she has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Helen Heyrman .end