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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of Martha Gay Kokernot Ratliff of Austin on |
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April 21, 2023, at the age of 80; and |
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WHEREAS, The daughter of Rosemary Kibbe Breeden Kokernot and |
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Frederick David Kokernot Jr., the former Gay Kokernot was born on |
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November 2, 1942; during her early childhood, she lived on her |
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family's ranch in Gonzales County, and she later grew up in Cuero, |
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Victoria, and Austin; she attended The University of Texas at |
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Austin, where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta; and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Ratliff founded an interior design company, |
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and over the years, her work was featured in numerous national |
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publications; a dedicated champion for the arts and for historic |
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preservation, she played an instrumental role in restoring the |
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Paramount Theatre and establishing the Austin Lyric Opera; she was |
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also a member of the Texas Historical Commission, and she was |
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involved in the Texas Main Street Program; in addition, she gave |
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generously of her time and talents to the National Trust for |
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Historic Preservation, Preservation Austin, and Friends of the |
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Governor's Mansion; and |
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WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Mrs. Ratliff enjoyed the love |
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and support of her husband, Shannon Harrison Ratliff, with whom she |
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shared nearly six decades, and she took great pride in their |
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children, Shannon, Rosemary, and Claire, and their grandchildren, |
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Caroline and Shannon; she loved spending time with friends and |
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family, caring for her pets, and tending to her garden; and |
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WHEREAS, Gay Ratliff lived a life that was rich in personal |
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and professional achievements, and she will forever be a source of |
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inspiration to those she leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the memory of Martha Gay Kokernot Ratliff and |
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extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of her family: to her |
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husband, Shannon Harrison Ratliff; to her children, Shannon |
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Harrison Ratliff II and his wife, Rémi, Rosemary Kokernot Ratliff |
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Harris and her husband, August, and Claire Elizabeth Kokernot |
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Ratliff; to her grandchildren, Caroline Abbott Ratliff and Shannon |
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Harrison Ratliff III; to her sister, Joy Kokernot; and to her other |
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relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Gay Ratliff. |