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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 18
BY SENATOR WILLARD-LEWIS
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Lavinia Strong Lundy, aged one hundred eight.
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the passing of Lavinia Strong Lundy,
age one hundred eight, on April 12, 2011, has been learned; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Strong, the youngest of seven children of the late Viola and
Breau Strong, was born June 16, 1902, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, she was married to her late husband, George Moody Lundy, for thirty
eight years, but never had children of her own; and
WHEREAS, at the age of five, Lavinia and family moved to New Orleans, where she
resided until August 2005; and
WHEREAS, having lost her home during Hurricane Katrina, she spent four months
in Beaumont, Texas, and then relocated in January 2006 to Danville, California, where she
lived until her death; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Lundy received her formal education in the New Orleans Public
School System at Thomas Lafon, McDonough #6, and Xavier Prep High School; received
her B.A. Degree in Education from Xavier University (where for many years prior to her
death she was the eldest alumnus); and obtained her M.A. Degree in Early Childhood
Education from the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, she dedicated her professional life to 42 years of teaching, including a
Sylvanie Williams Elementary School on Martin Luther King Boulevard, and leading by
example through volunteerism, community service, and political activism, being
Flint-Goodridge Hospital's first director of volunteer services and chairwoman of the first
Ebony Fashion Fair sponsored by the hospital's Women's Auxiliary; and
WHEREAS, often asked about her longevity, Lavinia Lundy's answer was said to be
"Live one day at a time and do something for someone every day; do everything in
moderation; take joy in giving, not in receiving; never give up on your dreams; and give
thanks to God always," and quickly adding with a bit of humor that "I bathed in the Fountain SR NO. 18 ENROLLED
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of Youth when I visited Florida years ago."; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Lundy was affectionately known by relatives as "Auntie", was
known for her sharp mind and credited public speaking, traveling the world, and arts and
crafts with improving her memory; and had a motto "to be a well-rounded person by
participating in activities that will improve my memory, my relationship with others, and
most of all my relationship with God"; and
WHEREAS, she was an active member of Union Bethel AME Church in New
Orleans; a fundraiser for numerous causes; and a member of the Xavier University Alumni
Association, New Orleans Council on Aging, Senior Voting Caucus, Rosenwald Chapter of
the Golden Agers, Volunteers of America, Senior Citizens of Central City, Senior Citizens
of Kingsley House, Senior Citizens of Our Lady of Lourdes Center, and the San Ramon,
Calif., Senior Citizen Center; and
WHEREAS, it has been said that now, with umbrella in hand, she is strutting through
the pearly gates, down the streets of gold, to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In,"
shouting "Laissez les bons temps rouler."; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and all of her
siblings; and
WHEREAS, Lavinia Strong Lundy, affectionately known as "Auntie," is survived
by sister-in-law Dorothy Bailey; nephews and nieces Norman Bailey, Jr., and wife Louise,
Gwendolyn Bailey and husband James Evans, Hazel Bailey Tanner, Gilbert Bailey and
ex-wife Rosemary, Cheryl Bailey Creecy Awobamise and husband Bola; and a host of great
and great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express condolences to the family of Lavinia Strong Lundy on the occasion of
her passing at age one hundred eight.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Lavinia Strong Lundy family.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE