HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-4602

HR 4602

ByRepresentatives Jinkins, Wilcox, Abbarno, Alvarado, Barkis, Barnard, Bateman, Berg, Bergquist, Berry, Bronoske, Caldier, Callan, Chambers, Chandler, Chapman, Cheney, Chopp, Christian, Connors, Corry, Cortes, Couture, Davis, Dent, Doglio, Donaghy, Duerr, Dye, Entenman, Eslick, Farivar, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Fosse, Goehner, Goodman, Graham, Gregerson, Griffey, Hackney, Hansen, Harris, Hutchins, Jacobsen, Klicker, Kloba, Kretz, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Low, Macri, Maycumber, McClintock, McEntire, Mena, Morgan, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Paul, Peterson, Pollet, Ramel, Ramos, Reed, Reeves, Riccelli, Robertson, Rude, Rule, Ryu, Sandlin, Santos, Schmick, Schmidt, Senn, Shavers, Simmons, Slatter, Springer, Stearns, Steele, Stokesbary, Stonier, Street, Taylor, Thai, Tharinger, Timmons, Volz, Walen, Walsh, Waters, Wylie, and Ybarra

WHEREAS, The Washington House of Representatives, on behalf of the people of the state of Washington, recognize and honor the life and accomplishments of Jamie MacKinnon Walsh, wife of Representative Jim Walsh, mother, architect, and dynamic community member; and

WHEREAS, Jamie was born on March 5, 1964, the daughter of Thomas (deceased) and Jeannine MacKinnon; and

WHEREAS, Jamie graduated from Smith College with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics in 1986, later earning her Master of Arts in Architecture from University of California Los Angeles in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Jamie, at 18 years of age, met her future husband, Jim, when she asked him to dance at a college party, a question the clever young man promptly said yes to; and

WHEREAS, Jamie and Jim married in 1989, traveled extensively, lived for a few years in her native California, and eventually settled in Grays Harbor to raise their family in the great state of Washington; and

WHEREAS, Jamie, embracing the need to preserve the past, along with Jim, purchased a historical home in Aberdeen built in the 1890s, determined to restore the home and return it to its former glory days; and

WHEREAS, Along with being committed to her family and home, Jamie served her community, volunteering countless hours as a catechist at St. Mary Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, As a former Aberdeen Public School board member, Jamie worked tirelessly to improve student achievements in the Aberdeen Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Jamie, through various activities, sought to preserve and protect the coastal Washington way of life; and

WHEREAS, Jamie, a talented architect, left her mark on communities of Washington state by designing and renovating several buildings, businesses, and homes; and

WHEREAS, Jamie's most significant contributions to future generations reside not only in her volunteer activities, service to her community, and professional achievements, but in the five children she loved, raised, and nurtured; and

WHEREAS, Jamie, at 58 years of age, was taken from this life far too early, tragically killed in a head-on collision on Monday, October 24, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jamie leaves behind her husband, Jim, and five children — MacKinnon, James M., Lillian, Margaret, and Patrick, who all adored her; and

WHEREAS, Jamie lived the kind of life most people only dream of, filled with family, pursuit, and purpose, without regrets;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, on behalf of the people of the state of Washington, recognize and honor the life, family, and work of Jamie MacKinnon Walsh; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Jamie's husband, Representative Jim Walsh, and his family.