Senate Resolution No. 831
BY: Senator BOYLE
MOURNING the death of Mary Ann Malack-Ragona,
tireless advocate for families fighting Alzheimer's
disease, distinguished citizen and devoted member of
her community
WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body,
representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
pay tribute to an eminent woman of indomitable faith and dedication
whose public service and countless accomplishments will forever stand as
a paradigm and inspiration for others; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, of Medford, New York, died on
December 19, 2018, at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Executive Director/CEO of the Alzheimer's Disease Resource
Center, Inc. (ADRC), Mary Ann Malack-Ragona leaves behind a legacy of
efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias,
which goes unmatched; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona joined what is now known as the
Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center in February of 2003, and in 2004,
opened The Neuwirth Family Care Center within the agency's Ronkonkoma
office; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona moved the agency to a 9,000
square foot facility, adding The Mickey & Felice Neuwirth Care Center as
a critical care component to the new Resource Center; that same year,
she also opened a satellite office in Southampton, bringing much needed
services to the East End of Long Island; and
WHEREAS, This extraordinary women was successful in obtaining
approval, from the Institutional Review Board of North Shore/LIJ, to
collaborate with the Litwin-Zucker Center for Memory Disorders &
Alzheimer's Disease, bringing a comprehensive clinical evaluation
research program to Long Island families; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, in conjunction with her
colleague, successfully launched a college accredited Alzheimer's
Disease training program for professional caregivers; this curriculum
has since trained over 600 individuals; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining ADRC, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona was the
Executive Director for the New York State Association of Temporary &
Staffing Services, Inc., where she represented the staffing industry on
a statewide level with Chapters located in Albany, Buffalo, Long Island,
Metro New York, Rochester and Westchester; and
WHEREAS, Before returning to Organizational Management, Mary Ann
Malack-Ragona was employed by UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest
Health Plans in the country; she held several positions in the company,
including Product Manager/Project Coordinator for the Tri-State area;
and
WHEREAS, From 1977 to 1992, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona was the Vice
President and COO for Vinmar Service Stations, Inc., a corporation which
operated major brand service stations on Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she holds the distinction of being the first
female President of the Trade Association, as well as the first female
officer for its national association, Service Station Dealers of
America; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona has served as an officer for
Literacy Volunteers of America, Suffolk County; she also served on the
Environmental & Energy Committee and the L.I. Action Coalition for the
Long Island Association, the largest business association on Long
Island; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona was
appointed to the Governor's Task Force on Adult Care Facilities and
Assisted Living Residences in January of 2005, as well as the
Alzheimer's Disease Coordinating Council in 2008; she was also a member
of the Long Term Care Councils in Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona has appeared on national television
shows, including the NBC "Today Show," as well as local shows including,
"Long Island Talks" and "Family Comes First"; she has also been quoted
extensively in Newsday, Long Island's most read newspaper, The New YorkTimes, Suffolk Life, and the Long Island Advance; and
WHEREAS, After graduating with distinguished honors from St.
Joseph's College with a degree in Organizational Management and a minor
in Human Resources Management, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona received a Masters
of Business Administration from LIU/C.W. Post College of Management and
Business; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her father, Stephen; and her twin brother,
Joseph, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona is survived by her mother, Martha;
sister, Rosemary; two sons, Vincent Jr. and Joseph; and three
grandchildren, Vincent III, Isabella and Joseph Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona 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 Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, tireless advocate for
families fighting Alzheimer's disease, 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 Mary Ann Malack-Ragona.