WHEREAS, Helen Barbara Dean, a highly admired community leader who touched countless lives in the Roanoke Valley through her compassion, generosity, and dedication to service, died on May 12, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dean graduated from Knoxville College and spent a summer working for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission during her college years; and

WHEREAS, over the course of her distinguished career, Helen Dean worked as a junior high school teacher and a systems analyst for IBM before joining Xerox, where she held several positions at the field, regional, and national levels, based primarily in Illinois and Texas; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dean later worked as a team leader for the cybersecurity firm TruSecure, then retired from Thomson Financial as president of a group that worked with financial instruments in the United States, England, Germany, and France; and

WHEREAS, after settling in Roanoke, Helen Dean became a valued member of the community who was well known for commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism; she supported the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Roanoke Arts Commission, Opera Roanoke, and the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, as well as Apple Ridge Farm, Family Promise of Roanoke Valley, and the Presbyterian Children's Home of the Highlands, among other organizations; and

WHEREAS, as a vice president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Helen Dean coordinated with the Jabberwock program to secure funding for college scholarships for local students; she also supported young people in the legal system as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for five years and served as president of the area CASA board; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Helen Dean served as an elections officer in Roanoke County, was an active volunteer with local political organizations, and held several leadership roles in the Roanoke Valley Democratic Women, including president; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dean received many awards and accolades for her personal and professional achievements and was recognized by Dollars & Sense, BELLA, and The Roanoker magazines; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dean enjoyed fellowship and worship with the Roanoke community as a member of Second Presbyterian Church, where she offered her wisdom to the congregation as an elder; she was also active with the Presbytery of the Peaks and National Black Presbyterian Women; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dean will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Helen Barbara Dean, a respected member of the Roanoke community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Helen Barbara Dean as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.