WHEREAS, Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B., of Arlington, the longtime principal of St. Charles School who served and uplifted countless individuals throughout the Commonwealth, died on February 21, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Masontown, Pennsylvania, Rose Marie Kesock moved to the Commonwealth with her family at a young age and attended Occoquan High School; knowing the value of hard work, she waited tables in her family's restaurant and worked part time as a switchboard operator; and

WHEREAS, after high school, Rose Marie Kesock worked at Fort Belvoir and Cameron Station, then entered the Order of Saint Benedict in September 1954 at Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow, taking her final vows in April 1959; and

WHEREAS, Sister Benedict earned a bachelor's degree from Diocesan Sisters College in Hartford, Connecticut, and a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University; and

WHEREAS, following her dream to become an educator, Sister Benedict used her wisdom and deep faith to prepare students for further education, careers, and responsible citizenship as a teacher at Catholic schools in the Bristow area; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, Sister Benedict was assigned to St. Charles School of the St. Charles Borromeo Parish as an eighth grade teacher; she rose to become principal in 1976 and offered her leadership to faculty, staff, and students for the next 32 years; and

WHEREAS, Sister Benedict was honored by the United States House of Representatives when she was invited to lead opening prayers as guest chaplain on March 27, 2003; at the time, the only other religious woman to have done so was Mother Teresa; and

WHEREAS, after her retirement as principal in 2008, Sister Benedict continued to serve members of the community through the Circle of Caring, an outreach program to the sick and elderly; and

WHEREAS, admired for her strength, compassion, and sense of humor Sister Benedict lived her faith through her actions; she brought joy to others and inspired those around her to do their best; and

WHEREAS, Sister Benedict touched countless lives, and she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by many family members, friends, former students, and members of her Benedictine community; 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 Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B., a dedicated educator and administrator and beloved member of the Arlington community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.