Senate Resolution No. 1872

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of Jean A. Borgatti,
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; Jean A. Borgatti was one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Jean A. Borgatti, noting the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Jean A. Borgatti, formerly of Niagara Falls and Lewiston,
died on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Elderwood Skilled Nursing
Facility at Wheatfield; she was 99 years old; and

WHEREAS, Born in Niagara Falls, New York, on September 11, 1924,
Jean A. Fortuna was the daughter of Francesco and Clementina
(Ventresca) Fortuna; as a small child, she accidentally ingested lye, a
caustic chemical used for cleaning; this traumatic event instilled in
her a great reverence for medicine and the nursing profession, which she
would eventually take up herself; and

WHEREAS, Jean A. Fortuna attended Niagara Falls public schools and
was a graduate of the Niagara Falls High School Class of 1943; during
WWII, while still in school, she worked at Bell Aircraft, where she
advanced to the position of Lead-Woman No. 2 Conveyor on the second
shift; the money she earned helped her family establish Fortuna's
Restaurant in Niagara Falls, which has been in business since 1945; and

WHEREAS, On December 21, 1944, Jean married Henry Joseph Borgatti of
Welland, Ontario at St. Joseph's Church in Niagara Falls; at the time,
Henry was serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, Jean A. Borgatti graduated from Niagara
University's College of Nursing, at the age of 38, and was the first
married woman with children to be allowed in the program; she went on to
become a professor of Nursing at Niagara University and the Director of
the School of Nursing's Independent Learning Center; and

WHEREAS, While a faculty member, Jean A. Borgatti also helped
recruit nurses for the ROTC program and received a special award from
the commander of the ROTC program for her service; and

WHEREAS, Jean A. Borgatti earned a Master's degree in Health
Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1973; she
was also certified in School Nurse Teaching and completed 32 credit
hours toward her doctorate; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Jean A. Borgatti became the second woman to be
elected to the Niagara County Legislature; she served as chair of the

Mental Health Committee, co-chair of the County Youth Board, and as a
member of the Education Committee; in May of 2016, she was honored with
a proclamation by the Niagara County Legislature for her groundbreaking
service; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Jean worked as a School-Nurse Teacher at
Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School and Edward Town Junior High School
from 1964 to 1975, and as a Professor of Nursing at Niagara University
from 1975 to 1987; and

WHEREAS, Following her retirement from Niagara University, Jean A.
Borgatti taught part-time as a Health Education instructor at Niagara
County Community College; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to public
service, Jean A. Borgatti was actively involved in a number of community
service organizations, including the American Red Cross-Niagara Chapter,
the Association for Retarded Children, and the Health Systems Agency
(HSA) Sub-Area Council of Niagara; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband in 1999, Jean A. Borgatti is
survived by a son, Robert (Evelyn) Borgatti; a daughter, Beverly (late
Robert) Barthel; three grandchildren, Michelle (Michael) Kratts,
Patricia (John) Pileggi, and Christopher Borgatti (Noelia Correa
Serrano); four great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Kratts (Michael Beck),
Brendan Kratts (Claudia McGinnis), Jillian Kratts, and Marisa Pileggi;
and a sister-in-law, Carmella Fortuna; as well as several nieces,
nephews and cousins; and

WHEREAS, Jean A. Borgatti's infinite selflessness and benevolence
will shine on through her family's vivid and happy memories; 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, Jean A. Borgatti 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 such an amazing woman; 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 Jean A. Borgatti, 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 Jean A. Borgatti.