FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature and the Legislative

Counsel Bureau were deeply saddened with the untimely passing of Linda

B. Alden on October 10, 1998; and

Whereas, Linda was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, on January 1, 1945,

to Mark and Hariett McManus; and

Whereas, After graduation from Sheridan High School in 1963, Linda

attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming; and

Whereas, In 1964, Linda returned to Sheridan and began working for

the County Assessor’s Office which was the beginning of her career in

public service; and

Whereas, Many persons in this legislative body first met Linda during

the 1983 legislative session when she was hired by the Assembly as

Secretary to Speaker John Vergiels; and

Whereas, During that session, Linda impressed everyone with her

professional demeanor and outstanding work ethic and was offered and

accepted the position as Administrative Assistant to Chief Clerk Mouryne

Landing and Secretary of the Senate Janice Thomas; and

Whereas, Linda continued to work for the Nevada Legislature and the

Legislative Counsel Bureau in various capacities including Minute Clerk

and Journal Clerk for the Senate Front Desk, and Receptionist and Lobbyist

Registration Clerk for the Legislative Counsel Bureau; and

Whereas, Because of her excellent organizational skills, Linda was

recruited to assist in the coordination of the annual meeting of the National

Conference of State Legislatures that was hosted by Nevada in Reno in

1988; and

Whereas, Linda later moved to Denver, Colorado, where she worked

for the National Conference of State Legislatures for the record-breaking

period of 1 week, when she was reunited with her high school sweetheart

and moved from Denver to join him in Wyoming, thus leading to a

cherished moment in Linda’s life, her marriage to Bruce Alden on

December 12, 1990; and

Whereas, After their marriage, Linda and Bruce lived together in

Wyoming for a short while before returning to Carson City in December

1992, when Linda became the Assembly Journal Clerk, a position she held

during the 1993 and 1995 legislative sessions; and

Whereas, During the interim between the 1993 and 1995 session,

Linda was hired as an Administrative Assistant for the late Jerry Kenney,

Chief of the Legislative Police; and

Whereas, On September 8, 1995, Linda’s professional dream became a

reality when she was appointed to be the Chief Clerk of the Assembly upon

the retirement of former Chief Clerk, Mouryne Landing; and

Whereas, In November 1995, Linda was initially diagnosed with

ovarian cancer; and

Whereas, Many of her friends shared in the grief Linda experienced

upon learning that her son, Richie Ruff, had been killed on May 27, 1996,

by a drunk driver; and

Whereas, During the 1997 legislative session, Linda focused all of her

energy on the demands of her new position and continued to keep the

members of the Assembly on track as she successfully filled the shoes of

her role model and dear friend, Mouryne; and

Whereas, Linda treasured the friendship she shared with Joe and

Mouryne Dini, whose caring support was invaluable in helping Linda to

attain her professional goals and, more importantly, to face the personal

challenges in her life; and

Whereas, Of the many ways that Linda exhibited her natural wit and

true spirit, the finest example, not evident to the general public, was that

she often wore Mickey Mouse slippers while conducting business in the

Assembly Chambers; and

Whereas, With all of this said and done, the quintessential memory that

will be forever etched in the annuls of legislative history is that in the

Assembly Chambers, on the occasion of Speaker Dini’s 68th birthday in

1997, Linda B. Alden successfully transformed her front desk staff and the

Sergeant at Arms’ staff into Macarena dancers, led by none other than, the

former Chief Clerk, Mouryne Landing Dini; and

Whereas, On October 10, 1998, Linda lost her courageous battle with

this deadly disease after years of fighting and, with her passing, Nevada lost

a friend whose bright smile and warm personality will forever be missed by

the members of this Legislature; and

Whereas, Linda is survived by her husband Bruce Alden, mother

Hariett McManus of Sheridan, Wyoming, sister Norma Dean of Lakewood,

Colorado, brother Jim McManus of Worland, Wyoming, daughter Nicki

Aaker of Dayton, Nevada, sons Marc Alden of Casper, Wyoming, and

Scott Alden of Billings, Montana, and six grandchildren; now, therefore, be

it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

Concurring, That the members of the 70th legislative session offer their

sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and many friends

of Linda B. Alden, a gracious, spirited, fun-loving lady who lived her life

with dignity and courage; and be it further

Resolved, That it is with the utmost respect that this legislative body

offers its condolences and appreciation to Bruce Alden for his devotion and

the encouragement that he graciously offered to Linda throughout her

battle; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

copy of this resolution to Linda’s beloved husband Bruce Alden and to her

mother Hariett McManus.

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