SENATOR DEFRANCISCO HONORS MARSHA CONNOR AS HIS 2015 NEW YORK STATE SENATE WOMAN OF DISTINCTION

Senator John A. DeFrancisco was extremely pleased to honor Marsha K. Connor, an American Gold Star Mother president and Marcellus resident, as his 2015 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

Each honoree was recognized at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Marsha’s photograph and biography will also be displayed in an exhibit proclaiming the special contributions of each New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a service organization of mothers, who have lost sons and daughters in military service. Marsha Connor was elected President and Treasurer of the American Gold Star Mothers, Chapter #15, in October 2013.

Marsha’s goal as Chapter President is to increase fellowship among the Gold Star Mothers and to perpetuate the noble principals for which their children fought and died. The New York Department of American Gold Star Mothers also appointed Marsha to the position of Americanism Chairman in 2014. Since then, she has enhanced her chapter’s participation in all patriotic events, such as the annual Onondaga County Veterans Day Ceremony.

In addition, Marsha has been the Veterans Administration Volunteer Service Chapter Chairman since 2006, providing hospitalized veterans with various personal supplies and clothing, and visiting them in the hospital to lift their spirits and lend support.

“Marsha Connor has dedicated herself, both personally and professionally, to improving the lives of others. She is a true testament to the power of strength, hope and patriotism. Her tireless efforts will have a long-lasting impact on her community and beyond,” said Senator DeFrancisco.

Marsha Connor became an active Gold Star Mother about a year after her beloved son, Lieutenant Patrick Kelly Connor, a Navy Flight Officer, was killed during a combat mission in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. During Patrick’s burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, she was presented with the folded American flag and a Gold Star Mothers pin. Marsha knew then that she wanted to forever honor her son’s faith, courage and ideals.

In 1992, Marsha and her family established the Lt. Patrick Kelly Connor USN Scholarship to help develop new leaders in the United States Military. To date, 31 high school graduates from the Central New York community have been proud scholarship recipients. Her family is also extremely proud that the Syracuse VA Medical Center dedicated its conference room in memory of Patrick on February 2, 1998, where his pictures and service medals grace the walls.

Marsha Connor, who was born and raised in Missouri and graduated from Nursing School in Columbia, MO, moved to New York State with her husband, William, in 1985. Marsha then became an operating room nurse at Community General Hospital, where she helped care for countless patients until she retired from the hospital after 20 years of dedicated service. She currently resides in Marcellus with her husband, and the couple has two adult sons.

“I am extremely proud to have Marsha Connor as one of my constituents in the 50th State Senate District, and to name her my 2015 Woman of Distinction,” concluded Senator DeFrancisco.

The New York State Senate launched the Women of Distinction program in 1998 to recognize the many contributions of female New Yorkers. These outstanding women have enriched the lives of those around them, while inspiring others to become active within their communities.