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2008 SESSION

085113676
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled November 27, 2007
Celebrating the life of Finnella Saunders Fearnow.
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Patrons-- Peace and Hargrove; Senator: McDougle
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WHEREAS, Finnella Saunders Fearnow of Mechanicsville, respected citizen and longtime vice president and co-owner of Fearnow Brothers Cannery, died on October 8, 2007; and

 WHEREAS, for more than 50 years, Finnella Fearnow was the guiding force of Fearnow Brothers Cannery, the producer of Mrs. Fearnow's Delicious Brunswick Stew, made according to the renowned recipe of Finnella's mother-in-law, Lillie Pearl Fearnow; and

WHEREAS, Lillie Pearl Fearnow began making her stew in her Hanover County home during the Depression, and as it became popular and in great demand, her daughters-in-law Finnella and Norma Fearnow helped out, filling and processing the cans by hand; and

WHEREAS, when operations grew too large for the three women to handle, the Fearnow Brothers Cannery was founded in 1946 by Finnella's husband, the late George Nelson Fearnow, Sr., and his brother Clyde Fearnow on a 154-acre farm off Shady Grove Road; and

WHEREAS, the company remained in the Fearnow family until 1999 when it was sold to Castleberry/Snow's Brands, Inc., but Finnella Fearnow worked at the cannery for most of her life as its vice president; and

WHEREAS, Finnella Fearnow continued to enjoy a hands-on approach to production of the famous stew, prepping many of the ingredients that went into the family recipe herself; and

WHEREAS, an exceptional cook in her own right, Finnella Fearnow never lost her love of cooking and the domestic arts; she was an accomplished gardener, a founding member of the Pamunkey River Garden Club, and the recipient of numerous ribbons for her beautiful daffodils; and 

WHEREAS, always willing to extend a helping hand to her fellow citizens in need, Finnella Fearnow was a faithful member of the Shady Grove United Methodist Church and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Finnella Fearnow will be fondly remembered for her kind and generous nature and will be greatly missed by her daughters Ganelle and Sandra, son George, Jr., and their lovely families, including grandchildren, Scott, Kay, Brian, Elizabeth, George III, and Patrick and great-grandchildren, Grace, Ashleigh, and Meredith; her twin sister Fannie; and her many friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Finnella Saunders Fearnow; 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 Finnella Saunders Fearnow as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.