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2023 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 288
Celebrating the life of Patricia Claire McGrady.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 2, 2023
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 6, 2023

 

WHEREAS, Patricia Claire McGrady of Springfield, a passionate advocate for social justice and a highly admired member of her community who brought joy to others through her boundless sense of adventure, died on October 11, 2022; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Loyola University, Patricia “Pat” McGrady began her career as a market researcher for Proctor and Gamble, then worked as a first-grade teacher in Chicago; she subsequently worked for American Airlines and as a hostess on the California Zephyr train before returning to education as dean and assistant dean of women for Quincy College, Loyola University, and DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, Pat McGrady worked at a ski resort in California while pursuing her master’s degree in education, then worked as an administrator for a series of residential communities, serving children, the elderly, and people in need of mental health or disability support; and

WHEREAS, in 1974, Pat McGrady arrived in Northern Virginia, having lived at 19 previous addresses; she initially planned to stay for only a short period before moving on to Boulder, Colorado, but fell in love with the region and ultimately stayed for the rest of her life; and

WHEREAS, Pat McGrady joined the League of Women Voters shortly after arriving; she was a member for over 50 years and held numerous leadership positions in the organization for both the Arlington and Greenspring units; she became a passionate activist for racial and social justice in the region and took a special interest in advocacy for affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, Pat McGrady joined the Arlington Housing Corporation in 1975 and was inducted into the organization’s hall of fame for her efforts to promote housing as a civil right and support community members in need; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, Pat McGrady further demonstrated her commitment to lifelong learning when she completed coursework to become a certified public accountant at Northern Virginia Community College and worked as an accountant for several companies; and

WHEREAS, Pat McGrady maintained her commitment to advocacy for affordable housing by serving as a board member of the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, serving on the Arlington County Housing Commission, and as chair of the Arlington Community Housing Finance Corporation; and

WHEREAS, Pat McGrady finished her accounting career with Paradigm Companies, a real estate firm that collaborated with the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing to develop the 15-story Parc Rosslyn mixed-income apartment community, where she lived in later life; and

WHEREAS, Pat McGrady was an accomplished traveler and a dedicated amateur genealogist who relished every opportunity to bring her family together and share her lifetime of wisdom; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her significant other of 38 years, Frank Haas, Pat McGrady will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous friends and family members, including her beloved nieces and nephews; 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 Patricia Claire McGrady; and, be it

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