As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 271
2023-2024
Senator Schaffer
A RESOLUTION
In memory of Emily Michele DeArdo.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 135th General Assembly 1
of Ohio were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Emily Michele 2
DeArdo and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends; 3
and 4
WHEREAS, Emily DeArdo left an indelible impression on the people 5
whose lives she touched, and she will be remembered as a spirited 6
individual who contributed immeasurably to the world around her. Emily 7
began working in the Ohio Senate as an Ohio Legislative Service 8
Commission Fellow in 2004. Following completion of the fellowship, 9
Emily joined the Ohio Senate to work as an aide for Senator Gary Cates 10
and then as a member of the communications team in the Senate 11
Republican Caucus. Emily was a strong advocate for organ donation as 12
she lived her life with cystic fibrosis and bravely became the first 13
recipient of a double lung transplant at Nationwide Children’s 14
Hospital in 2005. She did not let the pain she surely endured 15
throughout her life define her or hold her back. Emily was a devoted 16
Catholic and lived her faith serving as a lector at St. Matthew Church 17
and is the author of Living Memento Mori: My Journey through the 18
Stations of the Cross; and 19
WHEREAS, Emily DeArdo’s regard for improving the quality of life 20
in our society was clearly evident in her personal sacrifices of time 21
and effort to her family, friends, and community. Never content 22
waiting on the sideline, Emily was determined to use her knowledge and 23
talents to the fullest and leave an enduring mark on the world. In 24
2015, she was successful in her bid to be chosen as a contestant on 25
the television game show, Jeopardy! Although she did not end up 26
winning, she was pleased at having answered the Final Jeopardy 27
S. R. No. 271 Page 2
As Introduced
question quickly and correctly. Additionallly, she was a lover of the 28
arts and possessed a beautiful voice and participated in community 29
theater. Giving generously of her energy and abilities in all of her 30
endeavors, she displayed exceptional concern and insight, and her 31
absence will be keenly felt; and 32
WHEREAS, Emily DeArdo always used her talents to the benefit of 33
others, including her parents, Carmen and Michele, her siblings, Bryan 34
and Melanie, and a wealth of other relatives and friends, and the 35
laurels of her life stand as a tribute not only to her but also to 36
those she left behind. Although the void her death has created can 37
never be filled, the legacy of care and commitment she established 38
will surely live on. The world is a richer place for her having been 39
in it, and she will be sorely missed; therefore be it 40
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th General 41
Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, express a profound 42
sense of loss and sincere regret at the death of Emily Michele DeArdo 43
and, in so doing, pay tribute to the memory of a truly unique woman; 44
and be it further 45
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly 46
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of Emily Michele 47
DeArdo. 48