Assembly Resolution No. 350

BY: M. of A. Solages

CONGRATULATING Elaine Spavins upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Elaine Spavins upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday to
be celebrated on June 4, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Charlotte Stackpole was born on June 4, 1921, in
Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York, to her loving parents, Thomas F.
Stackpole, a World War I veteran who joined the NYPD in 1919, and her
mother, Charlotte Huber Stackpole, a member of the Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Stackpole and her family moved to Florida after her
father took a medical retirement; she graduated from Lakeland High
School in 1938; and

WHEREAS, Upon moving back to Queens in 1939, Elaine Stackpole began
working at AT&T long lines as a telephone operator on Canal Street; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Stackpole and Harvey Spavins were united in marriage
on June 16, 1945, and together they raised three sons; the young family
lived on Harmon Street in Ridgewood, New York, before moving to 109th
Street in South Richmond Hill, New York, in 1948; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Spavins was a loving and dedicated wife who devoted
her life to making a loving home for her family; she was a Den Mother
from 1959 to 1962 with Pack 120, sponsored by the A. Gordon Webster Post
of the American Legion; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to her community, Elaine Spavins became active
in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (OLPH) soon after becoming widowed
and helped to start a Bereavement Support Group which served OLPH and
several neighboring parishes; she joined the Third Order of St. Francis
at St. Michael's Parish in East New York in the late 1970s, and was a
founding member of the Secular Franciscans at St. Helen's Parish in
Howard Beach; and

WHEREAS, Today, Elaine Spavins is the loving grandmother to four
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Spavins, with her zest for life, has inspired and
enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Elaine Spavins has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Elaine Spavins upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elaine Spavins.