Above:
Steven Gold, Assemblyman Frank Skartados’ chief of staff, eulogizes
the mayor
Right:
Mayor Kennedy at a city council session
NEWBURGH – Residents of Newburgh and the area, elected officials,
family and friends gathered at the Kaplan Unity Center Thursday to honor
the life and legacy of the late Mayor Judy Kennedy.
Kennedy had been battling a terminal illness she succumbed to on April
15th, 2018.
Speakers representing all the city’s religious groups, walks of
life and levels of government up to the federal level relayed Kennedy’s
resolve in making the city more unified, financially healthy and welcoming.
Congressman Sean Maloney (D- NY18) said it was apparent throughout Thursday’s
community memorial that she had brought that message of unity to everyone
around her.
“You could not have been in the room without being struck by how
important it was for Judy that we send the message of unity across all
our lines of difference – differences of race, religion, sexuality
– everything that could divide us,” said Maloney.
“She wanted to remind us that we’re all human beings and to
have people from every corner of the city represented at her memorial
all repeating her message, which is that we need to rise together,”
he said.
Those who had spoken with Kennedy in her final weeks and days said she
voiced concern for the city until the very end, and that each person who
spoke with her was given a specific task to carry on the mission of making
the city a better place.
Community Activist Omari Shakur, who was once a political opponent turned
friend, said that when she came to office, “the city was dying”,
and that they came to bond over the mutual goal of helping the city thrive
again.
Shakur said Kennedy never operated with a hidden agenda, was always diligent
and that her ambitions for the city were always had with an earnest respect
for those living within it.
“She didn’t pull no punches. She told you how it was and what
she was here for,” said Shakur. “We didn’t ever have
a plan, but we had a vision and she stayed true to that vision to the
very end. She stayed true to it. That’s why I commend her because
she showed us what leadership is about. Leadership is about staying committed
to the end,” he said.
Those who had lived and/or worked in the city prior to her tenure credit
her with leaving behind a legacy of reduced violence, urban renewal, community
engagement and smart spending within government.
Kennedy asked that considered donations be sent to Habitat for Humanity,
Newburgh Ministries, or Shot Spotter with the City of Newburgh Police
Department.
