HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5089 Offered June 20, 2006 Celebrating the life of Linda Irene Peacock Okerlund. ---------- Patron-- Toscano ----------

WHEREAS, Linda Irene Peacock Okerlund of Charlottesville, a respected citizen and longtime public servant, died on June 9, 2006; and

WHEREAS born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, on April 10, 1945, Linda Okerlund was the third daughter of Mary and Francis Peacock; and

WHEREAS, Linda Okerlund graduated from Stoneham High School where she was a member of the Honor Society, cocaptain of the cheerleading squad, and a spirited athlete on the varsity field hockey, basketball, and intramural volleyball teams; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Simmons College in Boston in 1966, Linda Okerlund worked for Harvard University administering a computer graphics and spatial analysis laboratory in the fields of land planning and environmental assessment; and

WHEREAS, in 1976 Linda Okerlund moved to Charlottesville and became the director of the Central Piedmont Urban Observatory; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to her new home and the residents of Charlottesville, Linda Okerlund served as emergency services coordinator and as a city budget analyst; and

WHEREAS, in 1997 Linda Okerlund was appointed assistant city manager, a post she held until her death; and

WHEREAS, Linda Okerlund truly believed that Charlottesville is the best place to live and work as attested to by her 30-year career; and

WHEREAS, keenly involved in her community, Linda Okerlund was a great supporter of numerous civic organizations, including the McGuffey Arts Center and Camp Holiday Trails; and

WHEREAS, Linda Okerlund was an avid member of the Rivanna Rowing Club for over 10 years; she enjoyed weekly visits to the City Market embracing the bustling city center and supporting the vendors there; and

WHEREAS, in April 2006, Linda Okerlund was honored with the John L. Snook Child Advocate Award for her dedication to the advancement of children's issues within the city's agencies; and

WHEREAS, Linda Okerlund will be fondly remembered for her compassionate and generous nature and will be missed by her devoted husband, Gary, her daughter, Alison, and her two sisters; numerous other family members and friends; and the citizens of the City of Charlottesville; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine public servant and outstanding Virginian, Linda Irene Peacock Okerlund; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Linda Irene Peacock Okerlund as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.