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.