Mayor Kennedy
NEWBURGH – Judy Kennedy died Sunday morning following a long, valiant
battle with cancer.
Condolences have come in from across the region.
City Councilman Jonathan Jacobson said, “no one could doubt her dedication
and commitment to the City of Newburgh. It is so sad. No one should have
to suffer as she did due to her illness.”
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said the mayor “made a
long-lasting impression on the City of Newburgh. She will be missed for
her hard work, compassion and commitment to the residents of Newburgh.”
County Legislator Kevindaryan Lujan, who represents a portion of Newburgh,
said, “We will be forever grateful for her dedication to our city
and for steering our community in the right direction, but above all for
her guidance, friendship and love,” he said.
State Senator William Larkin said Kennedy’s “spirit will be
remembered by the people of the City of Newburgh. Her passion was seen
by all through her activism and through her constant persistence on the
issues that mattered most to her residents. As a person, she had a heart
of gold.”
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said Kennedy and he share a love for
the City of Newburgh. “I saw her in action working every day to
make Newburgh the city that its wonderful people deserve. Judy’s
focus and tenacity empowered her to hold the city together through a financial
crisis – and to come out the other side stronger,” he said.
“Tt was always her vision that has led to the reinvestment of Liberty
Street and the city’s improving financial outlook.”
“Today was a double loss for the Hudson Valley; both Assemblyman
Frank Skartados and Mayor Judy Kennedy fought every single day to better
the lives and communities for residents living in the Hudson Valley and
beyond,” said US Senator Charles Schumer.
SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young said the deaths of the two officials
“leave a deep void in our community as we have lost two devoted
public servants.” She said they were “champions for their
constituents. They understood the role and impact of higher education
in shaping and enhancing local and regional communities, and they supported
SUNY Orange’s mission and growth in Newburgh.”
