Flags flying at half-staff in Jacksonville, Tallahassee

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Flags are being flown at half-staff in Jacksonville and Tallahassee on Monday “as a mark of respect,” according to the governor’s office, for longtime community figure and former legislator Betty Holzendorf, who died on Feb. 29.

Holzendorf, who was 84-years-old at the time of her death, attended then-Edward Waters College. From 1988 to 1992, she represented House District 16 in the Florida House of Representatives, a release from the governor’s office states. After her tenure in the House, she represented District 2 in the Florida Senate from 1992 to 2002.

One of Holzendorf’s first roles in government was serving eight years in the mayor’s office. She ran for mayor in 2003. And following her time as an elected official, she continued her dedication to public service and improving her community, the release states.

The flag of Florida and national flag will be flown at half-staff at the Duval County courthouse, Jacksonville City Hall and at the State Capitol in Tallahassee from sunrise to sunset.

On the day of Holzendorf’s passing, Jacksonville City Councilmember Rahman Johnson called her 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 First Coast News the following statement the day after Holzendorf’s passing:

“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 was married to King Holzendorf, a former Jacksonville city councilmember.