Senate Resolution No. 594 BY: Senator STEC MOURNING the death of Marilyn Anna VanDyke, Ph.D., longtime Town of Queensbury historian, 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, Marilyn Anna VanDyke of Queensbury, New York, died on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the age of 92; and WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna Johnson was born on January 26, 1931, to Edna (Cleveland) and Milford Johnson in South Glens Falls, New York; upon graduating from the local high school, she became the first in her family to attend college, earning her bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany; and WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna Johnson then began her long and distinguished career in education, teaching at Fort Ann High School; and WHEREAS, On April 17, 1954, Marilyn Anna Johnson married Paul VanDyke, and together, they raised two daughters in their home on Bay Road, and operated Idlewild Cottages on Lake George for 15 years; and WHEREAS, Devoted to her daughters, Marilyn Anna VanDyke was a career Girl Scout, serving as a Troop Leader, Board Member, Council President, and Interim Executive Director for six years; and WHEREAS, In addition to the Girl Scouts, Marilyn Anna VanDyke volunteered her time and energy to the PTA, Adirondack Mountain Club, and the Quaker Friends Meeting; for her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her community she was the recipient of several awards and accolades including being named an "Outstanding Historian" by the New York State Association of Municipal Historians, the 2007 Woman of Distinction Award by the Adirondack Girl Scount Council and in 2009, the Chapman Museum honored her for her "Outstanding Contributions to Local History"; and WHEREAS, In 1985, at the age of 53, Marilyn Anna VanDyke furthered her education by obtaining her master's degree and an E.D. in Education Administration and Policy; during this time, she completed research at Albany BOCES on Gifted Education and worked at Lake George Elementary School directing the Gifted and Talented Program; and WHEREAS, Marilyn Anna VanDyke then held the positions of Principal at Moriah Central School, Adjunct Professor at North Country Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh, and Training Director/Educational Consultant for the Association of Public Historians of New York State; and WHEREAS, In 1991, Marilyn Anna VanDyke was appointed Historian for the Town of Queensbury and was a founding member of the Warren County Historical Society, in which the reference library is named in her honor; in 2017, after 26 years of service, she officially retired from her role as Historian; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, Marilyn Anna VanDyke surveyed 19th Century historic barns and served on the Civil War Monument restoration committee, Heritage Hall Committee, and Preservation Awards Committee of the Chapman Museum; she also offered services to those in the community looking to learn about local history or their family genealogy and developed numerous historical exhibits; and WHEREAS, Predeceased by her two brothers, Erwin Johnson and Walton Johnson, and one sister, Luana Johnson Rohlin, Marilyn Anna VanDyke is survived by her two daughters, Katrina (Mark) Bergeron and Heather (Christopher) VanDyke; her five grandchildren, Alexander, Cameron (Gabrielle), Jennifer (Kevin), Reilly and Austin VanDyke; and one great-grandson, Liam Parker; as well as numerous other relatives, friends and colleagues who will long cherish her memory; and WHEREAS, Well-liked and respected by all, Marilyn Anna Van Dyke truly loved her community and strived to make it a better place for its citizens to live, work and play; she devoted much of her life to bringing proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Marilyn Anna Van Dyke 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 Marilyn Anna Van Dyke, Ph.D., longtime Town of Queensbury historian, 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 Marilyn Anna Van Dyke, Ph.D.