Senate Resolution No. 355

BY: Senator RHOADS

MOURNING the death of Norma Lucia Gonsalves,
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 this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Norma Lucia Gonsalves died in East Meadow, New York, on
Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, Norma Lucia Cordaro was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June
11, 1934; she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from
St. Joseph's College for Women in Brooklyn and a master's degree from
Hunter College and Brooklyn College; and

WHEREAS, An educator for a total of 25 years in the New York City
school system, Norma Lucia Gonsalves taught for many years at a junior
high school in Bushwick; it was during her training to become a teacher,
while she volunteered at a summer camp in eastern New York, when she met
John Gonsalves; and

WHEREAS, The couple were married in 1962 and moved to East Meadow
that same year, residing in the house for the rest of their lives; John
Gonsalves, who was also a teacher and administrator in the New York City
school system, died in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Norma Lucia Gonsalves taught English and was particularly
fond of introducing her students to plays; she also shared her lifelong
interest in the performing arts, encouraging several of her students to
pursue acting careers and proudly seeing many of them appear on
television or in the theater in New York City; and

WHEREAS, After a hiatus to raise her family, Norma Lucia Gonsalves
returned to the classroom, eventually retiring in 1993; in 1998, she
commenced her service as a Nassau County Legislator for 19 years,
attaining the role of Presiding Officer in 2011 and proudly serving her
constituents through her fairness and working cooperatively with all
legislators; and

WHEREAS, After her second retirement in 2017, Norma Lucia Gonsalves
reflected on the honor to serve the taxpayers of Nassau County by
establishing the Hispanic Heritage Month, assistance and resources for
the Latino community, and the Veterans Clinic at Nassau University
Medical Center; additionally, she was instrumental in sustaining the
Cornell Cooperative Extension's East Meadow Farm; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years of her career, Norma Lucia Gonsalves
earned many honors, including the 2022 Town of Hempstead Pathfinder
Award, 1998 Woman of Distinction from the New York State Senate, 1999
Woman of the Year from the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, and the 2015

Marvin Bernstein Humanitarian Award from the East Meadow Chamber of
Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Active in her East Meadow community, Norma Lucia Gonsalves
was a member of the Parent-Teacher Association, the Chamber of Commerce,
the Kiwanis Club, and many civic organizations; she was the founder of
the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations (CEMCO) and part of
the community advisory committees for the Nassau County Correctional
Center and the Town of Hempstead's waste management efforts; and

WHEREAS, To cherish her memory, Norma Lucia Gonsalves leaves behind
her three children, Gregg, Dana, and Carin Gonsalves; and four
grandchildren; she is predeceased by her husband, John Gonsalves; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Norma Lucia Gonsalves 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 Norma Lucia Gonsalves, 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 Norma Lucia Gonsalves.