A Legacy Remembered by Governor Youngkin
Former Virginia First Lady Roxane Gilmore passed away on Wednesday at the age of 70. Governor Youngkin took a moment to honor her enduring legacy, highlighting her contributions as a classics professor, first lady and her cherished roles as a wife and mother.
A Life of Service and Dedication
Roxane, a Virginia native, succumbed to a long illness on Wednesday morning. Her husband, former Governor James Gilmore (R), shared the news in a heartfelt LinkedIn post.
As first lady, Roxane played a crucial role in overseeing almost every detail during the extensive four-year renovation of the Virginia Executive Mansion in Richmond, ensuring its preservation and historical integrity.
Richmond’s NBC12 reports:
Roxane Gatling Gilmore was born in Suffolk, graduating from Suffolk High School before attending UVA, earning a bachelor’s in history, classics and anthropology. She then earned her master’s in ancient history in 1978.
While at UVA, she met and married Jim Gilmore, worked as a teacher with Henrico and Chesterfield County Public Schools and taught multiple classic literature courses at Randolph Macon College.
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Roxane also worked with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to promote Virginia’s historic and cultural treasures. She was heavily involved with the Jamestown Foundation, specifically with the historical and archeological findings in the original excavations.
Roxane leaves behind her husband, Jim, two sons, Jay and Ashton, and a granddaughter.
A Tribute from Governor Youngkin
Governor Youngkin expressed his sorrow and extended his condolences to the Gilmore family. “Suzanne and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, former First Lady Roxane Gilmore. Our prayers are with Governor Gilmore, his sons Jay and Ashton, their families, and Roxane’s extended family,” Youngkin stated.
He further added, “Virginia has lost a wonderful woman who touched the lives of many Virginians.”