Friday, April 14, 2017 The Garden City News
50
A Clancy Milestone
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN ELLIS KORDES On Saturday evening, April 1st, a celebration was held at the Clancy home on Stewart Avenue. Maureen Clancy, a prominent fixture in this community for decades, turned 85. Long time friends and associates as well as family from around the country and even Ireland came together for this very special lady. Actually born on April 5, 1932, as Maureen O’Grady, she graduated from Rosemont College which is adjacent to Villanova University where she met her husband Cummin. They married on June 19, 1954, and had five children
and later seven grandchildren. Maureen and Cummin established Clancy and Clancy Brokerage in 1956 which is at its current location on Seventh Street since 1980. Maureen is a licensed insurance broker since 1959 (when it was rare for a woman). They moved to Garden City in 1960 and in 1967 moved into the Clancy home on Stewart Avenue. Although raising five children, Maureen was always involved in the community and remains so today. She was president of the EPOA and was the first woman to serve as a Village Trustee (and Deputy Mayor). She was a director and president of both the Garden City Chamber
Maureen with her children Brian, Sheila, Sean, Maura and Brendan.
Gerry and Liz Kelly with Maureen
of Commerce and the GC Historical Society. Maureen was also the first woman member and president of the Mineola - Garden City Rotary Club. She is currently a board member of RotaCare which provides free health care for Long Islanders in need. She also serves as a director on the board of New York Community Bank and Winthrop University Hospital. Maureen has always been an active parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church, serving on the Parish Council. The list of awards she has received over the years is way too numerous to list here. However, she would tell you her greatest honor and blessing is her
family. Her beloved husband, Cummin, passed away in February 2013 after 58 years of marriage. On a personal note, I’ve known Maureen for most of my life and can honestly say she is a unique soul. She has the ability to handle so much and do it well while maintaining a certain down to earth dignity. There is an unspoken class about her and a charming smile that seems ever present. She is the kind of person you are glad you know and if you didn’t you wish you did. I am quite certain the world could use a few more “Maureens” in it.
Helping Maureen to celebrate were long time friends, former GC Mayor Brian Deveney, former G.C. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Althea Robinson, former G.C. Mayor Peter Gall and former G.C. Village Administrator Robert Schoelle.
Brenda Wydler (wife of the late U.S. Congressman Jack Wydler), Maureen and Joan Whiting.
Dinner was held in a large, elegant heated tent in the Clancy back yard on Stewart Avenue. Each of Maureen’s children got up and spoke glowingly of their mother, as did others.