Bill Text: NY J01072 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourning the death of The Honorable Marylou Stewart, distinguished public servant, devoted family matriarch and dedicated member of her community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-30 - ADOPTED [J01072 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01072-Introduced.html

---

Senate Resolution No. 1072

BY: Senator AKSHAR

        MOURNING   the  death  of  The  Honorable  Marylou
        Stewart,  distinguished  public   servant,   devoted
        family   matriarch   and  dedicated  member  of  her
        community

  WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York  there  are
certain  individuals  who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command  the  respect  and  admiration  of  their  community  for  their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and

  WHEREAS,  It is the sense of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly
those  distinguished  citizens  who  demonstrated  great   courage   and
diligence in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their
communities and this great Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  With  feelings  of  deepest  regret, this Legislative Body
records the passing of the former Mayor of  the  City  of  Norwich,  New
York, Marylou Stewart, who died on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the age
of 80; and

  WHEREAS,  Marylou  Stewart  was  born  to  Samuel  Stewart and Betty
(Marshall) Brunton on August 30, 1938, in Utica, New York;  at  a  young
age,  she  and her family moved to Norwich where she graduated from high
school in 1956; the following year, she married her late  husband,  John
O. Stewart, and together they raised four children; and

  WHEREAS,  A woman who truly enjoyed life, Marylou Stewart was a hard
worker who was devoted to not only her family, but also her community; a
talented singer, she loved to entertain at various local establishments,
and  worked  at  General  Laboratories   Associates   (GLA)   and   then
Opportunities for Chenango; and

  WHEREAS, In 1972, Marylou Stewart began her long and esteemed career
in  public  service  as  the  first woman to hold the title of Executive
Director of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce,  the  position  she
would hold for more than two decades; and

  WHEREAS,  During  this  time,  Marylou Stewart opened Garf's Deli, a
business she would successfully operate until 1999,  when  her  son  and
daughter-in-law took it over; and

  WHEREAS,  This  dynamic  woman was then elected Mayor of the City of
Norwich, a role she held for one term from 2002-2003; in this  capacity,
Marylou  Stewart  was instrumental in the growth of the Norwich Business
Improvement District (BID) and remained an  honorary  member;  she  also
facilitated  the  transition of the Chenango Arts Council to its present
location on West Main Street; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure,  Mayor  Marylou  Stewart  tirelessly
worked  to  improve  the  City  of  Norwich, making it a place where its
citizens would be proud to live, work  and  play;  she  genuinely  cared
about her constituents and took great pride in watching her beloved City
thrive and prosper; and


  WHEREAS,  For  her  steadfast  and  unremitting  commitment  to  her
hometown, Marylou Stewart was  the  recipient  of  numerous  awards  and
accolades  including  the  2015  Commitment  to  Community  Award by the
Norwich BID, and along with her husband, the 2017  Lifetime  Achievement
Award by the Norwich High School Tennis Boosters Club; and

  WHEREAS,  When  she  was  not helping someone, Marylou Stewart was a
faithful member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, and enjoyed
tending to her flower gardens  around  her  home  and  making  delicious
dinners for her family, whom she adored; and

  WHEREAS,  During  the  summer,  Marylou Stewart could often be found
watching her children and grandchildren play games, whether  it  was  at
the  pool  or the tennis court; in recent years, she relished a good cup
of coffee at Garf's Deli with her neighbors and friends; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband, John, and granddaughter,  Lily,
Marylou  Stewart  is  survived  by  her  two sons, Gary (Sarah) and John
(Beth); two daughters, Betsy (Bill) and Lori (John); three sisters, Judy
(Howard), Marjorie and Nancy; two brothers, David (Deborah) and  William
(Angela);  13  grandchildren,  Stephanie,  Elliott,  Sophie, Zan, Emily,
Colin, Caroline, Kari, Thad, Sara, Bryn, Nicholas and  Elizabeth;  eight
great-grandchildren,  Addison,  Grace,  Harper,  Drew,  Vince, Harrison,
Brantley and Finn; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, as  well  as
many friends and community members who will long cherish her memory; and

  WHEREAS,  A  woman  of  great  compassion and determination, Marylou
Stewart's legacy extends far beyond her accomplishments as a  successful
public   servant;   her  sincere  concern  for  others;  her  integrity,
unconditional friendship and selfless motivation  to  give  of  herself,
will  long  stand  as  a beacon for those who would aspire to service in
their community; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death of The Honorable Marylou Stewart, distinguished public
servant, devoted family matriarch and dedicated member of her  community
recognizing  the  significance of her exemplary record of civic service;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of The Honorable Marylou Stewart.