Senate Resolution No. 594

BY: Senator STEC

MOURNING the death of Marilyn Anna VanDyke, Ph.D.,
longtime Town of Queensbury historian, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna VanDyke of Queensbury, New York, died on
Monday, March 13, 2023, at the age of 92; and

WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna Johnson was born on January 26, 1931, to Edna
(Cleveland) and Milford Johnson in South Glens Falls, New York; upon
graduating from the local high school, she became the first in her
family to attend college, earning her bachelor's degree from the State
University of New York at Albany; and

WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna Johnson then began her long and distinguished
career in education, teaching at Fort Ann High School; and

WHEREAS, On April 17, 1954, Marilyn Anna Johnson married Paul
VanDyke, and together, they raised two daughters in their home on Bay
Road, and operated Idlewild Cottages on Lake George for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to her daughters, Marilyn Anna VanDyke was a career
Girl Scout, serving as a Troop Leader, Board Member, Council President,
and Interim Executive Director for six years; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the Girl Scouts, Marilyn Anna VanDyke
volunteered her time and energy to the PTA, Adirondack Mountain Club,
and the Quaker Friends Meeting; for her steadfast and unremitting
commitment to her community she was the recipient of several awards and
accolades including being named an "Outstanding Historian" by the New
York State Association of Municipal Historians, the 2007 Woman of
Distinction Award by the Adirondack Girl Scount Council and in 2009, the
Chapman Museum honored her for her "Outstanding Contributions to Local
History"; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, at the age of 53, Marilyn Anna VanDyke furthered
her education by obtaining her master's degree and an E.D. in Education
Administration and Policy; during this time, she completed research at
Albany BOCES on Gifted Education and worked at Lake George Elementary
School directing the Gifted and Talented Program; and

WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna VanDyke then held the positions of Principal
at Moriah Central School, Adjunct Professor at North Country Community
College and SUNY Plattsburgh, and Training Director/Educational
Consultant for the Association of Public Historians of New York State;
and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Marilyn Anna VanDyke was appointed Historian for
the Town of Queensbury and was a founding member of the Warren County

Historical Society, in which the reference library is named in her
honor; in 2017, after 26 years of service, she officially retired from
her role as Historian; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Marilyn Anna VanDyke surveyed 19th
Century historic barns and served on the Civil War Monument restoration
committee, Heritage Hall Committee, and Preservation Awards Committee of
the Chapman Museum; she also offered services to those in the community
looking to learn about local history or their family genealogy and
developed numerous historical exhibits; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by her two brothers, Erwin Johnson and Walton
Johnson, and one sister, Luana Johnson Rohlin, Marilyn Anna VanDyke is
survived by her two daughters, Katrina (Mark) Bergeron and Heather
(Christopher) VanDyke; her five grandchildren, Alexander, Cameron
(Gabrielle), Jennifer (Kevin), Reilly and Austin VanDyke; and one
great-grandson, Liam Parker; as well as numerous other relatives,
friends and colleagues who will long cherish her memory; and

WHEREAS, Well-liked and respected by all, Marilyn Anna Van Dyke
truly loved her community and strived to make it a better place for its
citizens to live, work and play; she devoted much of her life to
bringing proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition
in the grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Marilyn Anna Van Dyke leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Marilyn Anna Van Dyke, Ph.D., longtime Town of
Queensbury historian, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her
community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Marilyn Anna Van Dyke, Ph.D.