HJ638: Celebrating the life of Joan Albert Lawler.
WHEREAS, Joan Albert Lawler, a respected businesswoman and a passionate philanthropist who touched countless lives throughout the Commonwealth, died on August 20, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Syracuse, New York, Joan “Joni” Albert Lawler grew up in McLean and made lifelong memories while spending summers with her family at Horners Beach and Sandy Point in the Northern Neck; and
WHEREAS, after earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, Joni Lawler worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at the United States House of Representatives, where she met her husband, John; together, they opened a popular watering hole for the young political community called the Third Party and she helped her brothers establish a sporting goods business, Wind and Water Sports; and
WHEREAS, while raising her family, Joni Lawler earned a real estate license and cofounded a financial consulting firm with John, East West Financial Services, in addition to working with their other companies, including Sterling Wealth Management; she volunteered her time and leadership as a fundraiser for Our Lady of Victory Church, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington Waldorf School, and St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock, where she served on the Board of Governors; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Joni Lawler moved full-time to the Northern Neck to build a home at Sandy Point and to use her wide-ranging experience in business and fundraising to become a pillar of the community, admired for her leadership, generosity, and grace; and
WHEREAS, Joni Lawler served on the boards and committees of numerous organizations, including the Haven Shelter, Kinsale Foundation, Menokin Foundation, Sandy Point Homeowners Association, Stratford Hall, Garden Club of the Northern Neck, and Rappahannock Community College, creating many fundraising events that became beloved local traditions; and
WHEREAS, guided by her deep faith, Joni Lawler spearheaded a successful capital campaign to support the construction of a new church building for St. Paul’s Mission Church in Hague; and
WHEREAS, Joni Lawler will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 43 years, John; her daughters, Abigail, Laura, and Anna-Elizabeth, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Joan Albert Lawler, a successful businesswoman and generous philanthropist; 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 Joan Albert Lawler as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 638
WHEREAS, Joan Albert Lawler, a respected businesswoman and a passionate philanthropist who touched countless lives throughout the Commonwealth, died on August 20, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Syracuse, New York, Joan “Joni” Lawler grew up in McLean and made lifelong memories while spending summers with her family at Horners Beach and Sandy Point in the Northern Neck; and
WHEREAS, after earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, Joni Lawler worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. House of Representatives, where she met her husband, John; together, they opened a popular watering hole for the young political community called the Third Party and she helped her brothers establish a sporting goods business, Wind and Water Sports; and
WHEREAS, while raising her family, Joni Lawler earned a real estate license and cofounded a financial consulting firm with John, East West Financial Services, and worked with their other companies, including Sterling Wealth Management; she also volunteered her time and leadership as a fundraiser for Our Lady of Victory Church, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington Waldorf School, and St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock, where she served on the Board of Governors; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Joni Lawler moved full-time to the Northern Neck to build a home at Sandy Point and used her wide-ranging experience in business and fundraising to become a pillar of the community, admired for her leadership, generosity, and grace; and
WHEREAS, Joni Lawler served on the boards and committees of numerous organizations, including the Haven Shelter, Kinsale Foundation, Menokin Foundation, Sandy Point Homeowners Association, Stratford Hall, Garden Club of the Northern Neck, and Rappahannock Community College, creating many fundraising events that became beloved local traditions; and
WHEREAS, guided by her deep faith, Joni Lawler also spearheaded a successful capital campaign to support the construction of a new church building for St. Paul’s Mission Church in Hague; and
WHEREAS, Joni Lawler will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 43 years, John; her daughters, Abigail, Laura, and Anna-Elizabeth, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Joan Albert Lawler, a successful businesswoman and generous philanthropist; 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 Joan Albert Lawler as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.