WHEREAS, Louise Wenzel Blanchard of Richmond, a former employee of the Clerk's staff of the Virginia House of Delegates and an educator who worked to bring the joy of music into her students' lives, died on November 15, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Tucker, Arkansas, Louise Blanchard cultivated her love of music as a young woman and graduated from the Westminster Choir College of Rider University in New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, sharing her musical talents with others, Louise Blanchard worked as a piano teacher in Waynesboro and Richmond for many years; and

WHEREAS, together with her husband, David, Louise Blanchard was instrumental in the establishment of the Waynesboro Concert Association, a nonprofit organization that has attracted live music acts to the region for decades; and

WHEREAS, Louise Blanchard served the Commonwealth as an employee of the Clerk of the House of Delegates in the Journal and Records department for eight years, between 1987 and 1995; and

WHEREAS, Louise Blanchard enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Bon Air; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, David, Louise Blanchard was the loving matriarch of a large family; she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Chase, Brooke, Baird, Courtney, and John, and their families, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Louise Wenzel Blanchard, a passionate music teacher and dedicated state employee; 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 Louise Wenzel Blanchard as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.