2018 Third Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
BY SENATORS MILKOVICH, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BISHOP,
BOUDREAUX, CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB,
CORTEZ, DONAHUE, ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI, HEWITT, JOHNS,
LAFLEUR, LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILLS,
MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON,
PRICE, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER,
THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Jessie Valcarcel "Abu" Richey, wife of former State Senator Dan Richey.
WHEREAS, Jessie Valcarcel Richey was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Victor
and Aida Perez Valcarcel and died on May 23, 2018, at the age of sixty-five at Baton Rouge
General Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, having emigrated from Puerto Rico to Louisiana, Jessie Valcarcel
Richey graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a bachelor of
art's degree in sociology and psychology; and
WHEREAS, left to treasure her memory and celebrate her life is her husband of
forty-two years, former Louisiana State Senator Daniel Wesley Richey, and their four
children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren as well as additional family members and
legions of friends, whom she often called "hermana", which is "sister" in Spanish; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Richey was affiliated with Regnum Cristi, a movement of lay
people in the Catholic Church associated with Legionaires of Christ, was involved in an
associated Catholic youth ministry called ECyD (Experiences, Convictions, and your
Decisions), and she taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes at St. Agnes
Catholic Church in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, a woman of exceptionally deep faith, Jessie Richey was a Missionaries
of Charity volunteer, and she had a contagious, engaging, and tireless spirit, which she
employed to bridge the gaps between people and bring them into closer communion with
others and with their individual faith; and
WHEREAS, an almost daily attendee at Mass, Jessie Richey lived her life in a
manner that exemplified her faith, and she was unconditionally loving and always ready with
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 8 ENROLLED
a kind word for anyone who crossed her path while constantly looking for additional ways
to serve those around her; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Richey was fiercely proud of her Puerto Rican roots, but she was
an enthusiastic transplant to her beloved Louisiana, a state that adopted her larger than life
personality and respected her devotion to her family, her faith, and her community; and
WHEREAS, Jessie Richey lovingly taught her native tongue, Spanish, to students
at Cypress Heights Academy, bringing these students into her heart as well as her classroom;
and
WHEREAS, with a beautiful and radiant smile, Mrs. Richey was an asset to the
political career of her dear husband, Dan, as she never met a stranger and quickly became
a favorite of his constituents and fellow legislators and their spouses and families, and she
honored her husband with affection and dignity, while she brought love and laughter to their
forty-two years together; and
WHEREAS, as a mother and grandmother, Jessie Richey exhibited joy, resilience,
forgiveness, and generosity of spirit, enjoying every moment of parenting and
grandparenting, whether waiting in the carpool line or serving a delicious feast to her family,
often dancing to Latin salsa music as she lovingly prepared these meals; and
WHEREAS, Jessie Valcarcel "Abu" Richey loved the song, "This Little Light of
Mine", but there was nothing little about the light, love, and kindness that she brought daily
to her beloved husband, her delightful children and grandchildren, the extended Richey clan,
and to her friends, all of whom have richer and more faith-filled lives because she inhabited
those lives, not for as long as her loved ones would have wanted, but certainly with an
expansiveness to fill many of the days and years ahead.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Jessie Valcarcel Richey, wife of
former State Senator Dan Richey.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
former State Senator Dan Richey and his family.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2