2021 -- S 0447

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LC001470

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF BARBARA A. HACKEY

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2021

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Barbara

A. Hackey, beloved wife of the late Frederick Hackey, Jr., cherished mother of Robert Hackey

and his wife, Tacy, and the doting grandmother of two granddaughters, Meagan and Sarah; and

     WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of South Kingstown, Mrs. Hackey was born at South

County Hospital, the daughter of the late Robert and Emma Bristow. She attended St. Joseph's

Hospital School of Nursing where, as a student nurse, she supervised an entire ward of patients.

Upon graduation, she spent more than thirty years caring for her patients at South County

Hospital in myriad departments within the hospital including the emergency room, medical-

surgical floors, and in the operating room; and

     WHEREAS, Always going above and beyond, in addition to her devoted medical care for

her patients, Mrs. Hackey sought to brighten their days by writing and producing many of the

hospital's annual talent shows and delighted all with her acting and singing talents. In 1988, after

helping to coordinate the construction of the hospital's new surgical suite, she retired as Director

of Surgical Services; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to her family and nursing, Mrs. Hackey was imbued with a deep

passion for politics and public service. As a young girl she had attended local Democratic Party

meetings with her father. In 1977, she was elected as Town Moderator in South Kingstown, the

first woman to serve in this position, and over the years, she also served as a member of the

town's Zoning Board of Review. Her leadership style always kept meetings open, on-track, and

fair; and

     WHEREAS, In 1981, Mrs. Hackey graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a

Bachelor's degree in political science. She was subsequently elected to the South Kingstown

Town Council where she served for 17 years, including five terms as President. During her years

as President, meetings of the Council were never dull and considered by many to be "must see"

public access TV. She was also involved with the planning of the new Senior Center; and

     WHEREAS, A woman of great faith, Mrs. Hackey was a dedicated parishioner at St.

Mary Star of the Sea Church in Narragansett where she served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister,

and a Minister to the sick and homebound; and

     WHEREAS, Even after retiring, Mrs. Hackey remained vital and active, holding court

every morning in the coffee shop at Old Mountain Lanes, gardening, solving crossword puzzles,

and making daily rounds to check on her fellow residents after she moved into Elderwood of

Scallop Shell at Wakefield; and

     WHEREAS, Barbara Hackey epitomized wholehearted service to her community and the

welfare of others. She enriched the lives of all who knew her and she will be dearly missed; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses our deepest

sympathies on the passing of Barbara A. Hackey; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Robert Hackey and Family.

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LC001470

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