Chemung County woman named 'Senior Citizen of the Year' during statewide tribute to senior volunteers

Albany, N.Y., May 8—New York State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R-Big Flats) today presented a New York State “Senior Citizen of the Year Award” to Mary Beechey of Big Flats during a Senior Citizens’ Day 2012 event in Albany sponsored by the New York State Office for the Aging.

[In the photo above, Mrs. Beechey is presented her New York State “Senior Citizen of the Year” award by Senator O’Mara and Assemblyman Friend in the ceremonial Blue Room at the State Capitol.]

Read more in the Elmira Star-Gazette.

Beechey’s nomination for the 2012 Senior Citizen of the Year award was submitted to the State Senate Committee on the Aging by the Chemung County Department of the Aging.  O’Mara said that she was the sole honoree selected by the committee following its review of statewide nominations.

Beechey’s volunteer service spans a range of notable Chemung County organizations, including the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Chemung County, Meals on Wheels, the Southern Tier Tobacco Awareness Council and the Free Community Kitchen.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Friend said, “What a great honor for Mary and a real tribute to the thousands of hours of volunteer service that she’s contributed to so many Chemung County organizations, programs and services. Mary Beechey is a beloved figure in Chemung County.  Her energy and her incredible commitment to volunteer service is inspirational and has brought great joy to many lives.”

The Senate and Assembly adopted a formal Legislative Resolution, co-sponsored by O’Mara and Friend, honoring Beechey. 

Watch Senator O'Mara's comments on the floor of the Senate paying tribute to Mary Beechey.

The Legislative Resolution reads, in part, “Mary has given nearly 4,000 hours of her time assisting others in many capacities, including transcribing books into Braille for the blind, performing with the Over-The-Counter-Players, and volunteering at the Southern Tier Tobacco Council, RSVP of Chemung County, the Free Community Kitchen, Near Westside Neighborhood, and Steele Memorial Library among other activities and hobbies…Mary has enriched the lives of many through her love and respect for others, and through the wisdom which comes from many years of living life to the fullest.”

O’Mara and Friend noted that Connie Bergh of Elmira was also one of more than 100 senior volunteers from throughout the state who were recognized for their volunteer service as part of today’s event.  Bergh was honored for her nearly three decades of volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as for her work with RSVP of Chemung County.