LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Sister Martha Winum, DW,
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, Sister Martha Winum of Brentwood, New York died on Sunday,
October 2, 2011, at the age of 100; and
WHEREAS, Sister Martha Winum distinguished herself in her profession
and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of her community; and
WHEREAS, Sister Martha Winum's commitment to excellence, and her spir-
it of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Sister Martha Winum gave a lifetime of care; in July of 2005,
the Sister Martha Winum Nursing Education Center was dedicated at St.
Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Port Jefferson, New York;
this facility, which consists of a conference room, lecture room and
advanced computer laboratory, was named in honor of a woman who dedi-
cated nearly three-quarters of a century to caring for thousands of
children at St. Charles Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Sister Martha Winum arrived at the Hospital as a young Sister
in August of 1932; prior to receiving her orders, she had completed a
business program at a vocational high school in Ozone Park; this partic-
ular experience qualified her to teach business courses to disabled
children, most of whom were polio victims; and
WHEREAS, In 1948, Sister Martha Winum stepped into a new role when she
was asked to oversee a new outpatient orthopedic clinic that was needed
as a follow-up for patients who had been discharged from the hospital;
the late 1960s saw Sister Martha again charting a new course, where she
established the Hospital's Pastoral Care Department; and
WHEREAS, For the next 36 years, Sister Martha Winum ministered to
patients by addressing their spiritual, emotional and psychological
needs; her dedication was recognized by the St. Charles Board of Direc-
tors, which presented her with a special award in 1978; and
WHEREAS, Sister Martha Winum also accepted the Board's Theodore Roose-
velt Award on behalf of the Daughters of Wisdom in 1968; in 2007, the
St. Charles Board instituted the Sister Martha Winum Award, given annu-
ally in recognition of an outstanding health care employee; after 72
years of service, Sister Martha, who was New York State's longest
tenured health care worker, retired on May 12, 2003; and
WHEREAS, As evidence of her deep devotion to St. Charles and its
patients, the very next day, Sister Martha Winum signed up as a volun-
teer in the Pastoral Care Department; she celebrated her 100th birthday
in January of 2011; although she is no longer a daily presence at St.
Charles, her lifetime of service has left a lasting legacy of compassion
which continues to serve as a role model for all who work at St.
Charles; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by 10 brothers and sisters, Sister Martha Winum
is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews
and her religious community; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion Sister Martha Winum 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 Sister Martha Winum, DW, 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 Sister Martha Winum, DW.