Senate Resolution No. 1853

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

        MOURNING    the    death   of   Josephine   Spano,
        distinguished citizen, and  devoted  member  of  her
        community

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through  their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better
the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable  positive
impact  on  the  lives  of  its  residents; Josephine Spano was one such
individual; and

  WHEREAS, It is with  profound  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative  Body  records  the  passing of Josephine Spano, nothing the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Josephine Spano  of  Yonkers,  New  York,  passed  away  on
Wednesday, December 6, 2023; and

  WHEREAS,  A  native  of  Yonkers,  New  York,  Josephine was born on
January 6, 1934, and attended Commerce High School  where  she  met  and
fell in love with her teenage sweetheart, Leonard Spano; and

  WHEREAS, Josephine and Leonard Spano married on July 12, 1952, where
they  moved  to  California where Leonard was stationed as a U.S. Marine
entering the Korean Conflict; and

  WHEREAS, The adoration Josephine and  Leonard  Spano  had  for  each
other  deepened  with every decade and through Leonard's years of public
service as a longtime County Legislator, Westchester County  Clerk,  and
business  owner  and  she remained a supportive force; they were happily
married for 67 years; and

  WHEREAS,  Josephine  Spano,  the  matriarch  of  the  Spano  family,
instilled  the  gift  of  unwavering faith in her family and offered the
gift of her guidance, support and dedication to her 16  children,  which
included  former  New  York  State Senator Nicholas Spano and former New
York State Assemblyman and current Mayor of Yonkers, Michael  Spano,  42
grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS,  Josephine  Spano's  commitment  to the City of Yonkers was
evident  in  her  constant  work  for  numerous  organizations  such  as
President  of  the  PTA at Saint Peter's School and Mount Carmel School,
member of the St.   Ann Society, head of the  lunch  program  at  Sacred
Heart,  supporter  of  special  needs  children and a volunteer for many
charitable causes; and

  WHEREAS, The unity of  our  State  and  Nation  is  built  upon  the
compassion  of individuals such as Josephine Spano who upheld the values
of community life and who, through her  great  actions,  epitomized  the
best  of  humanity;  her  insight  and  strength will forever serve as a
beacon of love, light and hope to the countless lives she touched; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Josephine  Spano  leaves  behind  a  legacy which will long

endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who were privileged to have known and loved  her;  she  will  be  deeply
missed  and  truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn  the  death  of  Josephine  Spano,  and  to  express  its  deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Josephine Spano.