LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Maria Zobniw, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Maria Zobniw of Binghamton, New York, died on Friday, April
3, 2009, at the age of 60; and
WHEREAS, Born in a displaced persons' camp after World War II, Maria
Zobniw and her family came to Binghamton when she was four years-old;
and
WHEREAS, Maria grew up in a Ukrainian section of Binghamton's First
Ward, and was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic
Church and a member of the first graduating class at Seton Catholic
Central High School in Binghamton; furthermore, she graduated from
Harpur College, now Binghamton University; and
WHEREAS, Her desire to help other immigrants led Maria Zobniw to
become a part-time caseworker at the American Civic Association about
four years ago; and
WHEREAS, Being Ukrainian, Maria Zobniw knew how difficult it was for
people to get adjusted; fluent in several languages, she saw it as her
mission to help others; and
WHEREAS, Maria Zobniw had a wonderful way of communicating with people
and making them feel good about themselves even if there was a language
barrier; and
WHEREAS, Maria Zobniw's commitment to excellence, and her spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, The heart and soul of her family, and a bedrock in the local
Ukrainian community, Maria Zobniw served as President of the Binghamton
Chapter of Ukrainian Women's League and secretary of the local branch of
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America for four decades; and
WHEREAS, In that capacity, she organized education booths for the
Ethnic Festival, helped raise the flag on Ukrainian Independence Days,
and gave presentations at area schools about Ukrainian Easter eggs,
embroidery and arts; Maria cared deeply about her heritage and wanted to
share it with anyone who wanted to listen; and
WHEREAS, Maria Zobniw is survived by her loving husband of 37 years,
Lubomyr Zobniw, as well as their four grown children; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Maria Zobniw leaves behind
a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Maria Zobniw, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Maria Zobniw.