HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 259 Offered January 18, 2008 Celebrating the life of Vivian May Nilsen. ---------- Patrons-- Janis and Lohr ----------

WHEREAS, Vivian May Nilsen of Harrisonburg, beloved citizen and outstanding community benefactor, died on July 5, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Vivian Nilsen was born on January 4, 1932, in Staten Island, New York, the daughter of the late Norwegian immigrants Alfred and Borghild Gundersen; and

WHEREAS, Vivian Nilsen married her beloved husband of 54 years, the Reverend Dr. K. Roy Nilsen, and the couple moved to Harrisonburg in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Vivian Nilsen worked alongside her husband at Lutheran churches in Berlin, New Hampshire; East Northport, New York; Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey; and Bethesda, Maryland, before his appointment as the pastor at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg; and

WHEREAS, Vivian Nilsen loved her adopted home of Harrisonburg, and the couple decided to settle in the "Friendly City" after Rev. Nilsen's retirement as a full-time minister; and

WHEREAS, an active volunteer and community supporter, Vivian Nilsen was a strong woman, talented musician, gracious hostess, and the consummate minister's wife, who was always ready to help members of her congregation, her friends, and her fellow citizens in need in any way she could; and

WHEREAS, Vivian Nilsen will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her devoted husband Roy; her sons Kenn, Timothy, and Thomas, daughters Kathy and Kristine, and their wonderful families; her numerous other loving family members and friends; and the residents of Harrisonburg; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a community benefactor and fine Virginian, Vivian May Nilsen; 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 Vivian May Nilsen as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.