Staff Reports
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday ordered flags at half-staff on Sunday in honor of the late state Sen. Dorothy Hukill.
The Port Orange Republican, who served in the Senate since 2012, died Tuesday after a recurrence of cancer first diagnosed and treated last year.
Scott directed the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand, the Brevard County Courthouse in Melbourne, and at the Capitol in Tallahassee from sunrise to sunset.
The attorney, chair of the Senate’s Education Committee, had long been interested in education, legal and technology issues. She is a former public elementary school teacher.
Hukill also served in the House 2004-12 and was mayor of Port Orange 2000-04. She last represented Senate District 14, covering southern Volusia County and northern Brevard County.
The 72-year-old “was a true leader in the Florida Senate and served the public with distinction,” Scott said in a statement.
“She worked to make our state a better place to live and leaves an incredible legacy. We are all grateful for her commitment to Florida families.
“Our prayers are with Dorothy’s family and to those closest to her. We are also praying for our friends and colleagues in the Florida Senate who loved and admired Senator Hukill so much.”
Constituents and others can pay their respects noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Volusia Memorial Funeral Home in Port Orange, Senate President Joe Negron said.
In lieu of flowers, her family asked for donations to the Halifax Health Hospice facility in Port Orange, where she spent her final days.
