Senate Resolution No. 4830

BY: Senator LARKIN

CELEBRATING the life and accomplishments of Judith
Kennedy, Mayor of the City of Newburgh, renowned
public servant, and devoted mother and grandmother

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to recognize and pay tribute
to the life and accomplishments of Mayor Judith Kennedy, an individual
of distinguished purpose and enduring commitment, whose lifework and
civic endeavors served to enhance the quality of life in the City of
Newburgh and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Judith Kennedy of Newburgh, New York, died on Sunday, April
15, 2018, at the age of 73; and

WHEREAS, Judith "Judy" Kennedy was born in Salmon, Idaho, on October
25, 1944; she married James "Roger" Kennedy in 1964, and together they
operated a grocery store in Baker City, Oregon; she started a baking
business there, while raising her sons; and

WHEREAS, The first person in her family to go to college, Judy
Kennedy started at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, and graduated
from Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in
business administration with a minor in computer science; and

WHEREAS, Judy Kennedy had a successful career in Information
Technology Management at Colorado Memory Systems, Hewlett Packard, and
Albertsons Supermarket Headquarters; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Judy Kennedy purchased the 162 Grand Street house
from her son, Kyle, and transformed it into not just a showplace but
also a gathering place; and

WHEREAS, Judy Kennedy ran for mayor of Newburgh in 2011, and won;
her success can be measured in the many new businesses that have opened
in the city, the dramatic reduction in crime, the return of vacant
buildings to the tax rolls, and the new spirit of optimism pervading
Newburgh; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure, the city became more financially stable,
as well as cleaner and safer; her popularity was perhaps best
demonstrated when she won re-election as the write-in candidate in 2015;
and

WHEREAS, Judy Kennedy is survived by her mother, Lucille Hermsen;
her three brothers, Lynn (Kathy), Barry (Connie), and Mark (Gail); and
her four sons, Rick (Sally), Ryan, Kyle, and Kevin (Lorena); as well as
her two grandchildren, Kate and Sam, all of whom felt privileged to be a
part of her life and rejoiced in her many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Judy Kennedy was sincerely loved and greatly respected by
all those with whom she worked; committed to her community, the people
she represented, her State, and her Nation, she served her public with
dignity, dedication and incisive wisdom; and

WHEREAS, Over a meritorious life of service on behalf of others,
Judy Kennedy was a woman of action, of integrity, and of commitment,
whose true compassion was generously given to all who knew her; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations in a
moment of silent tribute to Judith Kennedy, whose unselfish concern for
the welfare of others enhanced the lives of those so fortunate to have
called her family, colleague and friend, 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 Judith Kennedy.