WHEREAS, Gertrude Weber of Albemarle County, a passionate advocate for the arts and the environment, who restored a historic property near Charlottesville, and who actively participated in the cultural life of the University of Virginia community, died on January 6, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Gertrude Weber was born in New York and grew up in a household that emphasized culture and the arts; during her youth, Gertrude Weber developed a passion for fine art and music that stayed with her for her entire life; and

WHEREAS, as a young adult, Gertrude Weber was a bookkeeper, sales clerk, and model; she married Frederick Palmer Weber and the couple moved to Washington where they became active in political campaigns and the civil rights movement; and

WHEREAS, when the family moved back to New York, Gertrude Weber earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University; she also became active in the city's culinary community and started a successful antiques business; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Gertrude Palmer and her husband moved to Charlottesville, where they bought and lovingly restored Malvern, a dilapidated historic farmhouse that dated from 1795—and the grounds around it; and

WHEREAS, Gertrude Weber took an active role in the cultural life of the University of Virginia (UVA); her interest in historic preservation led to her involvement in restoring a large mural in Old Cabell Hall and installing a second mural in the building's lobby; and

WHEREAS, Gertrude Weber supported several music series at UVA and endowed a lectureship in the music department; she also was a valued patron of the Bayly Art Museum and helped establish the museum's baroque and Renaissance print collection; and

WHEREAS, concerned about serious environmental problems at a landfill not far from her home, Gertrude Weber was involved in a successful federal lawsuit that fined the landfill authority and ordered the operator to remediate the contaminated area; and

WHEREAS, Gertrude Weber, who was predeceased by her son David, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her son Michael and his family; and by many 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 Gertrude Weber of Albemarle County, a lifelong patron of the arts, a forceful steward of the environment, a historic preservationist, and an active participant and valued contributor to the cultural life of the University of Virginia community; 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 Gertrude Weber as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.