Governor Jack Markell reflects on the lives and legacies of former Delaware governor Russell Peterson and community activist Muriel Gilman.
Full text of Governor Jack Markell’s weekly message:
Generations of Delawareans have lived happier, healthier lives because former Governor Russ Peterson and community treasure Muriel Gilman spent decades of their own lives in service to others.
And generations to come will grow up in a Delaware made so much stronger from that service.
In their long lives, neither Russ nor Muriel ever stopped working, ever stopped caring or ever stopped inspiring the people around them.
That they passed away within days of each other makes the loss to our state even greater.
Russ was elected Governor, served as an advisor to Presidents and led national organizations like the Audubon Society as part of a life that made him one of our nation’s great environmental heroes. He remained a powerful public force even decades after leaving office and a reminder that history is most kind to those that most honor their conscience.
Though so many knew her so well, Muriel and her brilliant smile never sought the spotlight, preferring instead to let it shine on the causes she cared so passionately about, including her commitment to Delaware’s children, her beloved United Way and the dozens of organizations whose vital work it funds.
They both knew the power that one person can have to improve the world around them – particularly when one person’s courage, conviction, honesty and optimism can move others to take action.
They knew that volunteering – that giving yourself over, in a spirit of service and sacrifice- is in the end no sacrifice at all. That, in sharing yourself, you strengthen yourself – that by giving, you gain – that a life is more rich in meaning and purpose when it helps to make better the lives around you.
To many in Delaware, they were dear friends. To many more, heroes. They certainly didn’t think of themselves that way – even in the closing days of their lives, they remained simply open to the next opportunity to help.
They shaped Delaware history. They made so much of the best of Delaware’s present possible. I hope we can keep their spirits alive by acting in their memory the same way they acted for us – remaining open to the opportunity to help each other and keeping focused on moving our great state forward, together.
