2024 -- H 7502

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LC004697

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE GRACE

FRANCES KLINGER

     Introduced By: Representatives Spears, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Shallcross Smith, Tanzi, McNamara, Ajello, Potter, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the

Honorable Grace Frances Klinger. The Town of Charlestown lost a faithful and dedicated public

servant with her passing; and

     WHEREAS, Grace Frances Klinger was born in Queens, New York, daughter of the late

Thomas and Catherine Hartigan. She was the beloved wife of Frederick Klinger for 52 years; and

     WHEREAS, Grace Frances Klinger was elected to the Charlestown Town Council in

November 2020 and served until her passing in January 2024; and

     WHEREAS, Grace Frances Klinger served on the Charlestown Conservation

Commission from 2008 to 2020, as the commission's Vice-Chair from 2010-2016, and as Chair

from 2016-2020. She served as Charlestown Conservation Commission liaison to the Coastal

Ponds Management Commission from 2019-2020, and as the Town Council Liaison to the

Charlestown Conservation Commission and Wastewater Management Commission from 2020-

2024; and

     WHEREAS, While serving on the Charlestown Conservation Commission, Grace

Frances Klinger would regularly organize and participate in trail cleanups. She would walk the

trails herself, and clear and clean-up where necessary. She was focused on the public's use of the

trails and wanted everyone to enjoy them; and

     WHEREAS, Grace Frances Klinger was an active parishioner at St. Mary's Church/St.

James Chapel, and was a Certified Master Gardener, and former President of the Federated

Garden Clubs of Coral Springs, Florida, Brookfield, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island.

She was a successful businesswoman as the owner of Yester-Year Antiques for over 40 years;

and

     WHEREAS, In addition to her husband, Frederick, Grace Frances Klinger leaves behind

her daughter, Suzanne Viens and her husband, Andrew, as well as her grandchildren, Riley,

Reagan and Rowan. She also leaves behind her nephews Brian, Dennis, Thomas, William, Kevin,

and her niece, Maureen. She was also the sister of the late Maureen, Anne, and Catherine; and

      WHEREAS, Grace Klinger was a wonderful woman, who truly cared about others and

her community. She was an amazing friend who touched so many lives through her involvement

in Charlestown and the other communities she had called home in the past. She possessed a great

sense of humor and a quick wit, and words cannot adequately express how much she will be

missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its condolences on the passing of the Honorable Grace Frances Klinger; 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 Frederick Klinger and Family.

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LC004697

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