Honor Mary Donnelly Parade Role

Senate Resolution No. 805 BY: Senator GOLDEN COMMENDING Mary E. Donnelly upon the occasion of her designation as Deputy Marshal of the 2017 Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who work diligently to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Mary E. Donnelly upon the occasion of her designation as Deputy Marshal of the 2017 Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade, to be celebrated with a Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 4, 2017; and WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious appointment, Mary E. Donnelly will march as Deputy Marshal of the 24th Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade down 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday, March 26, 2017; and WHEREAS, The Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade is meant to recognize and celebrate Irish culture, heritage and pride, for those who have emigrated here from the Emerald Isle, the Irish-American community, as well as those who are Irish in spirit; and WHEREAS, Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Mary E. Donnelly attended St. Ephrem's School before graduating from Bishop Ford High School in 1991; she went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Science and Education from Manhattan College in 1995, as well as her Master of Education degree from Cambridge University in 2003; and WHEREAS, With a passion for teaching and working with the youth in her community, Mary E. Donnelly began her illustrious education career as a physical education teacher at Holy Innocents Grammar School in East Flatbush; after seven years in Catholic education, she transitioned to PS/IS 104 in Bay Ridge, where she was a Physical Education and Health teacher for ten years before becoming Dean of Students, the esteemed position she continues to hold today; and WHEREAS, Actively involved in the Bay Ridge community, Mary E. Donnelly currently serves as a coach for girls basketball, girls softball and both boys and girls swimming at St. Ephrem's School; she is also the athletic director for St. Pat's girls volleyball, and volunteers with OLPH soccer programs in the spring and fall sessions; and WHEREAS, Mary E. Donnelly's Irish lineage comes from both sets of great grandparents; on her mother's side, the McGuire clan coming from Fermanagh, Ireland and on her father's side coming from Tullamore, Ireland; she is proud of her Irish heritage and works with several businesses in Brooklyn to continue both Irish and family traditions; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of 12 years, Matthew, and their two children, Elizabeth and Matthew, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day Parade reflects and records the ongoing history of the United States and Ireland, and provides an opportunity for people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride and pageantry; and WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Deputy Marshal for the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade, Mary E. Donnelly embodies the spirit and the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and Nation; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Mary E. Donnelly upon the occasion of her designation as Deputy Marshal of the 2017 Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Mary E. Donnelly.