LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Marguerite Luez Parkinson,
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, Marguerite Luez Parkinson of Brooklyn, New York, died on
Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 17, 1926, in Port Limon, Costa Rica, Marguerite
Luez Parkinson was one of 12 children of the late James Altiman Dias and
Anne Marie Taylor; and
WHEREAS, After a few years in Costa Rica, her family migrated to
Jamaica, West Indies; at the young age of 15, Marguerite lost her moth-
er; she then assumed a maternal role, caring for her younger siblings
and working to support her family; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite Luez and her sister Gertrude were the owners and
operators of a restaurant in Jamaica; on April 29, 1948, she met her
future husband, Roland Omar Parkinson; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Marguerite Luez relocated to Brooklyn, and Roland
joined her shortly thereafter; the couple were married on February 1,
1958, at St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite and Roland Parkinson's home on 294 Halsey Street,
was known as "The Jamaican Ellis Island"; the couple kept an open door
policy, no one was turned away; and
WHEREAS, In addition to helping others, Marguerite and Roland Parkin-
son sponsored many social events which brought family members together,
especially during the holidays; every week there was something planned
for "Club Ellis Island"; and
WHEREAS, After coming to the United States, Marguerite Luez Parkinson
was employed at the Heidi Candy Factory; she was then hired at The
Brooklyn Hospital Center where she worked for 25 years, officially
retiring at the age of 65; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite Luez Parkinson was also an entrepreneur, selling
both Sarah Coventry Jewelry and Tupperware for many years, as well as
products from Olympic Sales; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite Luez Parkinson's commitment to excellence, and her
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Active in her community, Marguerite Luez Parkinson was a
vital participant of the prestigious Columbiettes, and a faithful volun-
teer at the St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church; she was also a
member of the Women's Auxiliary at St. Mary's Hospital, and held the
title of Association President of her block within her beloved community
of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite Luez Parkinson was known as a woman of service who
lived by her mantra "do all the good you can, for all the people that
you can, for as long as you can"; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite Luez Parkinson's commitment to excellence, and her
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Marguerite Luez Parkinson is survived by her loving husband,
Roland Parkinson, Sr.; her four devoted children, Charlene, Jennifer
(Patrick), Roland, Jr. (Annette), and Vanessa; eight grandchildren,
Trescinda, Robert, Sharon, Tiffany, Aiyana, Nicole, Brittney, and
Preston; seven great-grandchildren, Andrew, Shantelle, Arianna, Rasohn,
Addison, Adonai, and Aaliyah; and her two brothers, Harold and Patrick

(Inez); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted sons and
daughters, and many friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Marguerite Luez Parkinson 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 Marguerite Luez Parkinson, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Marguerite Luez Parkinson.