SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2020 SESSION

20109235D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 262
Offered March 2, 2020
Celebrating the life of Barbara Hicks Harding.
----------
Patrons-- Boysko; Delegate: Samirah
----------

WHEREAS, Barbara Hicks Harding, a hardworking supporter of early childhood education who made many contributions to cultural life in Herndon through her passion for music and traditional dance, died on December 6, 2019; and

WHEREAS, a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Barbara Harding moved to Herndon in 1950 to raise her family and became a cherished member of the community; and

WHEREAS, realizing the need for a local preschool, Barbara Harding founded Harding Hall in 1951, which operated as a preschool, kindergarten, and daycare facility out of her family home until 2003; she also taught kindergarten and first grade students at Herndon Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Harding’s legacy of caring for young people continued after her retirement, when she rented the former Harding Hall space to Al Fatih Academy; the building currently serves as the Montessori Peace School; and

WHEREAS, for many years, Barbara Harding was an avid student of English Country Dance and attended the Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, Kentucky, every year from 1952 to 2012; she served as an interim director of the school, as well as faculty member at Berea College, where she founded a Danish-American Exchange program; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Harding enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, where she served as a choir director, organist, and treasurer; she was a loyal, longtime member of the Rotary Club of Herndon; and she was named the Herndon Citizen of the Year in 1970; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Reuben, Barbara Harding is fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Martt, Todd, Howard, Susan, and William, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Barbara Hicks Harding, a vibrant member of the Herndon community; and, be it

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