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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 724
Celebrating the life of Jean Beaumont Merritt Mihalyka.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 28, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 3, 2011

 

WHEREAS, Jean Beaumont Merritt Mihalyka, a treasured Virginia historian and resident of Cherrystone, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, Jean Mihalyka was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late J. Newton and Georgie Beaumont Merritt; and

WHEREAS, after graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Goucher College in Baltimore, Jean Mihalyka attended Johns Hopkins University and the Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science; and

WHEREAS, a woman who treasured her family, Jean Mihalyka was the devoted wife of her late husband, Eugene; the proud mother of two children, George and the late Jane; and the adoring grandmother of Charlotte Merritt and the late Kristofer; and

WHEREAS, an avid historian and genealogist, Jean Mihalyka connected with her heritage through her involvement in the Northampton County Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Eastern Shore Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century, the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, and the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne; and

WHEREAS, committed to preserving the history of Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, Jean Mihalyka was a member of the historical societies of Virginia, Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and Anne Arundel County as well as the Arlington Foundation, Inc., and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities; and

WHEREAS, Jean Mihalyka was recognized as a valuable contributing member to the Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University, and the Delmarva Advisory Council and enjoyed the status of honorary member and frequent presenter to the Genealogical Historical Society of the Eastern Shore; and

WHEREAS, a well-respected historiographer, Jean Mihalyka compiled genealogical and historical research, authored numerous books, and archived multiple volumes of records from family bibles and tombstones; and

WHEREAS, leaving a legacy of sound land-use policy, Jean Mihalyka served as chair of the Northampton County Joint Local Planning Commission for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Jean Mihalyka was active at Christ Episcopal Church, serving as senior warden; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Eugene, her daughter Jane, and her grandson, Kristofer, Jean Mihalyka will be fondly remembered by her son, George; her granddaughter Charlotte; and her many family members, friends, and fellow historians; 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 Jean Beaumont Merritt Mihalyka, treasured Virginia historian; 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 Jean Beaumont Merritt Mihalyka as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.