2022 -- H 7058

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LC003521

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF MEAGHAN MCGONAGLE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Solomon, Bennett, Amore,
Vella-Wilkinson, Shanley, McNamara, Potter, and Baginski

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with deep sorrow that this House has learned of the untimely passing of

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Meaghan McGonagle, the cherished mother of Liam and Amelia, a devoted daughter and sister,

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an inspiring teacher, a dedicated and compassionate coach, and a legendary athlete; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in the City of Providence, "Meg" as she was affectionately known by

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her family, was the devoted daughter of Michael and Priscilla McGonagle, the loving sister of

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Maura Brown and Michael McGonagle, and the aunt of Ellie, Stephen, Marykate, Maggie, Jack,

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Cornelius, Kendrick, Brooklynne, Lauren, and Evan. She also leaves her former husband,

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Matthew Holmes, and his parents, Jerry and Mary Holmes; and

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     WHEREAS, Meg grew up in the City of Warwick, and attended Pilgrim High School,

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where her athletic prowess became renowned on a state-wide level and her jersey, # 41, still

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hangs in the school's gym. She was All-State in volleyball and basketball, still holds the all-time

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leading scorer title for Girls' Basketball, and was the Warwick Beacon Athlete of the Year in

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1998; and

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     WHEREAS, Continuing her education and athletic accomplishments, Meg earned a

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Bachelor’s degree in business and education from Siena College in Loudonville, New York,

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where she was a two-time captain of the Division I Siena College Women’s Basketball team, that

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in 2001, won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2006, "Ms. McGonagle" as she became known in the school community,

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joined the faculty of the Cranston Public School Department as a business teacher, most recently

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at Cranston High School East, where in addition to teaching, she had served as coach of the

 

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Thunderbolt Boys and Girls Volleyball teams. As both a teacher and a coach, she guided,

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prodded, and encouraged her students to continuously strive to achieve, resulting in the Girls'

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Volleyball team attaining an undefeated season and the school’s first ever volleyball State

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Championship, leading the Boy's team to an undefeated season and winning another State

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Championship, and earning Meg the honor of being named the Rhode Island Interscholastic

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League Coach of the Year for Girls and Boys Volleyball; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to her coaching at Cranston East, Meg had previously been the

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DECA coordinator at Cranston High School West, and had served as a basketball and volleyball

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coach at Guilderland High School in Guilderland, New York; and

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     WHEREAS, Meaghan McGonagle will forever be remembered as a loving mother, a

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great athlete and coach, and for her "little acts of kindness," her ability to include everyone in her

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caring circle, and for helping students to believe in themselves. She was truly "not only a great

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coach but a great person" and she is deeply missed; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

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extends heartfelt sympathy to the family and the Cranston East community on the passing of

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Meaghan McGonagle; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Liam Holmes, Amelia Holmes, and Michael

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and Priscilla McGonagle.

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LC003521

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