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2024 SESSION

24108446D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 281
Offered February 28, 2024
Celebrating the life of Diane Gay Flanagan.
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Patrons-- Cherry, Austin, Bloxom, Coyner, Fowler, Freitas, Garrett, Gilbert, Hodges, Kilgore, Knight, Leftwich, Orrock, Taylor, Wachsmann, Ware, Webert, Wright and Wyatt; Senator: Sturtevant
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WHEREAS, Diane Gay Flanagan, a skilled nurse and a beloved wife, mother, and friend in Colonial Heights, died on September 26, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Diane Flanagan was born in Oklahoma to Vail and Taimi Konen, first-generation immigrants from Finland, and at a young age, she and her family moved to Geneva, New York, a serene community on the shores of Seneca Lake; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Geneva High School, Diane Flanagan pursued higher education at Skidmore College until she met her husband, Bill in 1962; the couple raised four beloved children and traveled often during Bill’s 30-year career in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, after her children reached school age, Diane Flanagan completed her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and graduating as the valedictorian of her class; and

WHEREAS, Diane Flanagan worked in the health care arena across the country and held leadership roles as a nursing supervisor or a charge nurse; and

WHEREAS, among her proudest achievements, Diane Flanagan served as a nurse at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, which is the largest American hospital located outside of the United States and serves as a designated medical center for American soldiers wounded in the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, in later life, Diane Flanagan served as the chair of the Tri-City Area Republican Women’s Club, president of Ikebana of Richmond, and regent of the Catholic Daughters of America Court Regina Coeli 2032; she was also active in her church community as a parish nurse, lector, Eucharistic minister, liturgy coordinator, and minister of services; and

WHEREAS, outside of her career and volunteer service, Diane Flanagan enjoyed collecting art and tending to her gardens, and she had visited more than 60 countries around the world throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Diane Flanagan brought joy to others through her compassion, generosity, and unfailing kindness; and

WHEREAS, Diane Flanagan’s husband of more than 60 years, Bill, died on December 3, 2023; she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Michael (Melia), Christopher (Lucila), William, and Taimi, and their families, and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Diane Gay Flanagan; 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 Diane Gay Flanagan as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.