SEARCH SITE

Search FAQs

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2006 SPECIAL SESSION I

060341780
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5061
Offered September 27, 2006
Celebrating the life of Marian Hornsby Bowditch.
----------
Patrons-- Norment and Williams; Delegates: Morgan and Rapp
----------

WHEREAS, Marian Hornsby Bowditch, respected community leader and founder of the Watermen's Museum in Yorktown, died on August 18, 2006; and

WHEREAS, born in Seaford, Marian Hornsby Bowditch grew up with five brothers at Hornsby House in Yorktown, the lone daughter of the Hornsby family; and

WHEREAS, Marian Bowditch graduated from Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, earned a bachelor's degree from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, and taught school in York County for many years; and

WHEREAS, an outspoken advocate for her fellow residents, Marian Bowditch served for 12 years on the York County School Board, including a time as its chair; and

WHEREAS, a stalwart supporter of equal rights, Mary Bowditch fought for a quality education for all of the young people of York County; and

WHEREAS, Marian Bowditch was best known for her dedication to the Watermen's Museum, which she founded out of love and respect for her community and its rich heritage of working waterman; she had the building that houses the museum moved down the York River from Gloucester to York County by barge; and

WHEREAS, Marian Bowditch served as a board member of Mary Baldwin College; the president of the Junior League of Hampton Roads; a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Yorktown Woman’s Club, and the Hampton Roads Garden Club; and as a member and one of the founders of the Peninsula Fine Arts Association; and

WHEREAS, nominated for the Governor’s Award for the Arts in 1976, Marian Bowditch was a hardworking member of the Arts Committee of the Yorktown Bicentennial, which later became the Yorktown Arts Foundation; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Marian Bowditch was honored with numerous awards, including the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Woodmen of the World, the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club of York, the Distinguished Virginian Award from the Virginia District Exchange Clubs, the Emily Smith Outstanding Alumni Award from Mary Baldwin College, and the Hampton Roads Junior League Annual Sustainer’s Award; and

WHEREAS, Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads inducted Marian Bowditch and her husband Willis into the Hall of Fame for Business Leadership in 1993, and the National Conference of Christians and Jews honored the couple for their significant humanitarian contributions to the community in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Marian Bowditch will be fondly remembered for her creative energy and her high moral and ethical standards and greatly missed by her four devoted sons and their families, her seven wonderful grandchildren, countless other loving family members and friends, and the congregation of Grace Episcopal Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a community benefactor and outstanding Virginian, Marian Hornsby Bowditch; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Marian Hornsby Bowditch as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.