WHEREAS, Bethiah Shuemaker, a highly admired community leader in Manassas Park who dedicated her life to the service of others, died on December 13, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Maryland, Bethiah Shuemaker later moved to the Commonwealth and began her service to the community as an active member of booster clubs and fundraisers while her son was in school; and

WHEREAS, for many years, Bethiah Shuemaker worked as a before-school and after-school teacher for fourth-grade and fifth-grade students, and she organized summer camps for hundreds of children; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Bethiah Shuemaker became the recreation specialist for seniors at Manassas Park Community Center, where she recruited new members, instructors for classes and activities, and speakers on a wide range of topics; and

WHEREAS, taking a characteristic hands-on approach to her work at Manassas Park Community Center, Bethiah Shuemaker could often be found socializing with members, promoting the center's programs, or playing pickleball; the first annual Bethiah Shuemaker Pickleball Tournament was held at the center in November 2017; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her legacy of contributions to the community, Bethiah Shuemaker was posthumously nominated for the 2018 Influential Women award from Prince William Living; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known as "Shue," Bethiah Shuemaker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Bethiah Shuemaker; 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 Bethiah Shuemaker as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.