JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A longtime community figure and former legislator, Betty Holzendorf died Thursday. She was 84.
Holzendorf, who attended Edward Waters College, served 10 years in the Florida Senate and four years in the House. One of her first roles in government was serving eight years in the Mayor's Office. She ran for mayor in 2003.
Jacksonville City Councilmember Rahman Johnson called Holzendorf an iconoclast and said she was "feared and fearless."
"If you haven’t had a bowl of her gumbo or anything she cooked up, for that matter, you missed a treat. Her lessons were just as filling as her food. One of her many lessons is a mantra I live by daily. “When it comes to legislation, if you haven’t read it and understood it – don’t vote for it.” That advice and her voice in my head is why you will find me at City Hall in the wee hours of the morning – reading and preparing. Because Betty said so," Johnson wrote.
City Council President Ron Salem provided the following statement to First Coast News on Friday:
"On behalf of the City Council, we extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Betty Holzendorf, a dedicated public servant who served with distinction as both a Florida House of Representatives member and Florida Senator. Betty's passion for public service, her advocacy for her constituents, and her unwavering commitment to making a difference have left an indelible mark on our state. Her legacy as a fighter will continue to inspire us all."
The University of North Florida received help from Holzendorf for its University Center and a road leading to campus — Betty Holzendorf Drive, was named in her honor.
"The University of North Florida is saddened by the loss of the Honorable Betty Holzendorf, who cared so deeply for UNF and the Jacksonville community. She was a proud UNF alum, as are several of her children," UNF President Moez Limayem said in a release. "Her civic leadership clearly reflected her commitment to public education, and she was a tremendous advocate and friend to UNF throughout her career, including working to secure funding for our University Center."
Holzendorf is married to King Holzendorf, a former city councilmember.