SLS 183ES-14 ORIGINAL
2018 Third Extraordinary Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
BY SENATOR MILKOVICH
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Jessie Valcarcel Richey, wife
of former State Senator Dan Richey.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of Jessie Valcarcel "Abu" Richey, wife of former State Senator Dan Richey.
4 WHEREAS, Jessie Valcarcel Richey was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Victor
5 and Aida Perez Valcarcel and died on May 23, 2018, at the age of sixty-five at Baton Rouge
6 General Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
7 WHEREAS, having emigrated from Puerto Rico to Louisiana, Jessie Valcarcel
8 Richey graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a bachelor of
9 art's degree in sociology and psychology; and
10 WHEREAS, left to treasure her memory and celebrate her life is her husband of
11 forty-two years, former Louisiana State Senator Daniel Wesley Richey, and their four
12 children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren as well as additional family members and
13 legions of friends, whom she often called "hermana", which is "sister" in Spanish; and
14 WHEREAS, Mrs. Richey was affiliated with Regnum Cristi, a movement of lay
15 people in the Catholic Church associated with Legionaires of Christ, was involved in an
16 associated Catholic youth ministry called ECyD (Experiences, Convictions, and your
17 Decisions), and she taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes at St. Agnes
18 Catholic Church in Baton Rouge; and
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SLS 183ES-14 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, a woman of exceptionally deep faith, Jessie Richey was a Missionaries
2 of Charity volunteer, and she had a contagious, engaging, and tireless spirit, which she
3 employed to bridge the gaps between people and bring them into closer communion with
4 others and with their individual faith; and
5 WHEREAS, an almost daily attendee at Mass, Jessie Richey lived her life in a
6 manner that exemplified her faith, and she was unconditionally loving and always ready with
7 a kind word for anyone who crossed her path while constantly looking for additional ways
8 to serve those around her; and
9 WHEREAS, Mrs. Richey was fiercely proud of her Puerto Rican roots, but she was
10 an enthusiastic transplant to her beloved Louisiana, a state that adopted her larger than life
11 personality and respected her devotion to her family, her faith, and her community; and
12 WHEREAS, Jessie Richey lovingly taught her native tongue, Spanish, to students
13 at Cypress Heights Academy, bringing these students into her heart as well as her classroom;
14 and
15 WHEREAS, with a beautiful and radiant smile, Mrs. Richey was an asset to the
16 political career of her dear husband, Dan, as she never met a stranger and quickly became
17 a favorite of his constituents and fellow legislators and their spouses and families, and she
18 honored her husband with affection and dignity, while she brought love and laughter to their
19 forty-two years together; and
20 WHEREAS, as a mother and grandmother, Jessie Richey exhibited joy, resilience,
21 forgiveness, and generosity of spirit, enjoying every moment of parenting and
22 grandparenting, whether waiting in the carpool line or serving a delicious feast to her family,
23 often dancing to Latin salsa music as she lovingly prepared these meals; and
24 WHEREAS, Jessie Valcarcel "Abu" Richey loved the song, "This Little Light of
25 Mine", but there was nothing little about the light, love, and kindness that she brought daily
26 to her beloved husband, her delightful children and grandchildren, the extended Richey clan,
27 and to her friends, all of whom have richer and more faith-filled lives because she inhabited
28 those lives, not for as long as her loved ones would have wanted, but certainly with an
29 expansiveness to fill many of the days and years ahead.
30 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
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SLS 183ES-14 ORIGINAL
1 does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Jessie Valcarcel Richey, wife of
2 former State Senator Dan Richey.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
4 former State Senator Dan Richey and his family.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien.
DIGEST
SR 8 Original 2018 Third Extraordinary Session Milkovich
Expresses condolences upon the death of Jessie Valcarcel Richey, wife of former State
Senator Dan Richey.
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