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Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/bro...,4984357.story
Memorial service set for Hallandale activist
Julia "Julie" Hamlin 'always provided for us'
By Rachel Hatzipanagos South Florida Sun-Sentinel
7:12 a.m. EDT, October 6, 2009
HALLANDALE BEACH - Memorial services have been set for Hallandale Beach political activist Julie Hamlin, who died suddenly after an illness that friends and doctors suspect could have been the H1N1 virus.
"The doctors said there is a high chance it was the H1N1 virus because of the symptoms and how quickly the virus attacked her lungs," said family friend Becky Wright, 44, of Hallandale Beach.
Hamlin, 49, had developed flu-like symptoms over the past week. Her condition deteriorated, causing pneumonia and then organ failure.
The services will be held in Hallandale Beach at Saint Matthews Church, 542 Blue Heron Road, on Oct. 8th at 6:30 p.m.
It could take a few days to determine whether Hamlin had in fact died from the H1N1 complications, according to officials from the Indian River County Health Department. Hamlin, who lives in Hallandale Beach, passed away in a Vero Beach hospital during the weekend.
"It all happened over a couple of days," said friend and Hallandale Beach resident Steve Cummings. "It was very sudden."
Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
Hamlin, who had relatives in West Virginia, worked as a sales and marketing consultant. But what impressed her friends was her civic involvement, including her participation in the Hallandale Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hallandale Beach Democratic Club.
"I'm at a loss for words for all of this," said Commissioner Keith London. "She was really someone who was there for the city and always provided for us."
She ran for a seat on the Hallandale Beach City Commission in 2007, telling the Sun Sentinel during the campaign that she wanted to work on creating more affordable housing options.
"I want to devote my time and talent to this city," Hamlin was quoted as saying. "Making a difference is important to me."
She failed to win an at-large seat.
Hamlin was a fixture at Hallandale Beach commission meetings for at least 10 years, said friend Marcia Slow-Sandler. Her style when speaking out at meetings was described as outgoing, tactful and polite.
"Julie was passionate about a lot of things. She just looked at the world and just saw good," said Slow-Sandler, who once worked for the Hallandale Beach Police Department. "She always knew that there was something she could do in the world. She cared very much about what was going on in Hallandale."
After Hurricane Wilma struck South Florida in 2005, Hamlin volunteered to hand out bags of ice to those who needed it. Each year, when the Kiwanis Club in Hallandale Beach would throw a charity spaghetti dinner, Hamlin volunteered at the bar, said Cummings, a former Kiwanis president.
Hamlin was unmarried and had no children.
Rachel Hatzipanagos can be reached at rhatzipanagos@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4543.
Memorial service set for Hallandale activist
Julia "Julie" Hamlin 'always provided for us'
By Rachel Hatzipanagos South Florida Sun-Sentinel
7:12 a.m. EDT, October 6, 2009
HALLANDALE BEACH - Memorial services have been set for Hallandale Beach political activist Julie Hamlin, who died suddenly after an illness that friends and doctors suspect could have been the H1N1 virus.
"The doctors said there is a high chance it was the H1N1 virus because of the symptoms and how quickly the virus attacked her lungs," said family friend Becky Wright, 44, of Hallandale Beach.
Hamlin, 49, had developed flu-like symptoms over the past week. Her condition deteriorated, causing pneumonia and then organ failure.
The services will be held in Hallandale Beach at Saint Matthews Church, 542 Blue Heron Road, on Oct. 8th at 6:30 p.m.
It could take a few days to determine whether Hamlin had in fact died from the H1N1 complications, according to officials from the Indian River County Health Department. Hamlin, who lives in Hallandale Beach, passed away in a Vero Beach hospital during the weekend.
"It all happened over a couple of days," said friend and Hallandale Beach resident Steve Cummings. "It was very sudden."
Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
Hamlin, who had relatives in West Virginia, worked as a sales and marketing consultant. But what impressed her friends was her civic involvement, including her participation in the Hallandale Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hallandale Beach Democratic Club.
"I'm at a loss for words for all of this," said Commissioner Keith London. "She was really someone who was there for the city and always provided for us."
She ran for a seat on the Hallandale Beach City Commission in 2007, telling the Sun Sentinel during the campaign that she wanted to work on creating more affordable housing options.
"I want to devote my time and talent to this city," Hamlin was quoted as saying. "Making a difference is important to me."
She failed to win an at-large seat.
Hamlin was a fixture at Hallandale Beach commission meetings for at least 10 years, said friend Marcia Slow-Sandler. Her style when speaking out at meetings was described as outgoing, tactful and polite.
"Julie was passionate about a lot of things. She just looked at the world and just saw good," said Slow-Sandler, who once worked for the Hallandale Beach Police Department. "She always knew that there was something she could do in the world. She cared very much about what was going on in Hallandale."
After Hurricane Wilma struck South Florida in 2005, Hamlin volunteered to hand out bags of ice to those who needed it. Each year, when the Kiwanis Club in Hallandale Beach would throw a charity spaghetti dinner, Hamlin volunteered at the bar, said Cummings, a former Kiwanis president.
Hamlin was unmarried and had no children.
Rachel Hatzipanagos can be reached at rhatzipanagos@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4543.