Nia Odeoti-Hassan

Nia Odeoti-Hassan, 74, of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village. She was born February 2, 1948, in Newport News, VA, the daughter of Henry and Jewel (Yelverton) Aytch. She married Salah Hassan on March 7, 1986 and he preceded her in death on July 14, 2005.

She is also preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her daughter Eman Hassan of Nashville, TN; eight siblings, David Aytch, Cotrenia Aytch, Betty Aytch, Vanessa Aytch-Hicks, Marie Ibitayo, Rodney Aytch, Joyce Ashley, and Henry Aytch, Jr., all of Virginia; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Nia retired from the Illinois State Senate after 36 years of service as a Policy and Budget Analyst. She also taught Political Science and African American Studies at Luther College for 5 years. Nia was a Golden Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha. During her 36 years as legislative staffer, she received numerous awards, honors and recognitions for her work performance and community service. One of the highlights of Nia’s career with the Illinois State Senate was serving as staff to then State Senator Barack Obama when he was the Democratic spokesperson for the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee (1999-2003) and chairperson of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee (2003-2004).

Burial was held at Oak Ridge Cemetery. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Inner-City Muslim Action Network or Islamic Society of Greater Springfield.

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