Senate Resolution No. 1218

BY: Senator PARKER

MOURNING the death of Mary E. Rock, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body,
representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
pay tribute to an eminent woman of indomitable faith and dedication
whose public service and countless accomplishments will forever stand as
a paradigm and inspiration for others; and

WHEREAS, Mary E. Rock of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on April 3,
2019, at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, Born on April 14, 1924, in Richmond, Virginia, Mary Edith
Rock was the daughter of the late George and Gilla (Towler) Farnum; the
young family relocated to Top Stone Farm in Ridgefield, Connecticut,
where she and her brother, Teddy, enjoyed riding horses and climbing
trees; and

WHEREAS, Mary E. Rock and her family moved to Montclair, New Jersey
in 1936; she graduated from Montclair High School in 1942 at the top of
her class, before attending Harlem Hospitals School of Nursing where she
was trained as an army nurse during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Upon her graduation, Mary E. Rock went on to earn a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health Nursing from New York
University (NYU); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alfonso and Mary Rock were united in marriage on
September 21, 1947, at Union Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey;
the couple raised four children in a Brooklyn brownstone above her
husband's office before outgrowing the space and moving to Prospect Park
South in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Mary E. Rock was a housewife and
stay-at-home mom who devoted her life to making a loving home for her
family; and

WHEREAS, Mary E. Rock then went back to school and earned a Master's
degree and eventually a PhD from NYU; she spent many wonderful years as
a college professor, teaching health education until her retirement in
1997; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her parents and brother, Mary E. Rock was
predeceased by her oldest daughter, Allyson; she is survived by three
children, Daryl, Lynette and JoAnn; a nephew, Douglas; and two
goddaughters (her grands), Kendra and Rhonda; as well as countless
family and close friends; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Mary E. Rock 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 Mary E. Rock, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of her community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Mary E. Rock.