Bill Text: NY K00703 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Mary Ann Devane Allen, renowned attorney and special needs advocate, devoted mother, and distinguished member of her community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-08 - adopted [K00703 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00703-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 703

BY: M. of A. Santabarbara

        CELEBRATING  the  life  of  Mary Ann Devane Allen,
        renowned  attorney  and  special   needs   advocate,
        devoted  mother,  and  distinguished  member  of her
        community

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to  better
the  quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its residents; Mary Ann Devane Allen was one such
individual; and

  WHEREAS, It is with  profound  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative  Body  records  the passing of Mary Ann Devane Allen, noting
the significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Mary Ann Devane Allen of Slingerlands, New  York,  died  on
May 16, 2022, at the age of 66; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  in  Albany, New York, to Mary Patricia Whalen Devane
and the late Thomas A. Devane Jr., Mary Ann Devane graduated  magna  cum
laude  and  as  a  member of Phi Beta Kappa from St. Lawrence University
with her Bachelor's degree in Government and English;  she  went  on  to
earn a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Albany Law School; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of her education, Mary Ann Devane Allen
pursued distinguished careers in law and special needs advocacy; and

  WHEREAS,  Mary  Ann  Devane  Allen  began  her  first  career  as an
associate  attorney  at  Nixon,  Hargrave,  Devans,  &  Doyle,  LLP,  in
Rochester, New York; following her marriage, she returned to Albany, and
joined  Bouck,  Holloway,  Kiernan,  &  Casey, LLP, where she eventually
became partner; and

  WHEREAS,  Well  respected  throughout  her  legal  career  for   her
expertise in defense of property claims involving arson, Mary Ann Devane
Allen  subsequently  became  a  founding  partner  at  Allen, Johnson, &
Lonergan; and

  WHEREAS, In 2001, after serving for several years  as  President  of
the  Board  of  Directors  of  Wildwood  Programs, Inc., an organization
dedicated  to  providing  services  for   children   and   adults   with
developmental disabilities, Mary Ann Devane Allen joined Wildwood as its
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director; and

  WHEREAS,  In  this  role,  Mary Ann Devane Allen leveraged her legal
expertise, as well as her personal experience as the mother of  a  child
with  autism,  to  help  enhance the lives of countless individuals with
special needs and their families; and

  WHEREAS, During her exemplary career at Wildwood, which  ended  upon
her  retirement  in  December 2020, Mary Ann Devane Allen was recognized
throughout the community as a tireless  advocate  for  individuals  with
special needs and a cherished mentor to many; and


  WHEREAS,  Mary  Ann Devane Allen believed strongly in service to her
community, and in addition to her prior  service  as  President  of  the
Wildwood  Board  of Directors, she was a member of the Board of Trustees
at the Academy of the Holy Names and a volunteer with Family Promise  of
the Capital Region; and

  WHEREAS, Known for her remarkable dedication to her family, Mary Ann
Devane  Allen firmly believed that her role as a mother was her greatest
accomplishment; and

  WHEREAS, Mary Ann Devane Allen is survived by her  beloved  husband,
John  L.  Allen;  and  her cherished children, Matthew John Allen, Sarah
Broderick Allen, and Molly Bowman Allen; she is  also  survived  by  her
mother,  Mary  Patricia  Devane;  and  siblings,  Thomas  A. Devane III,
Patricia Smith (Thomas), Maureen Kipper (Carl), Daniel Devane  (Sharon),
Brian  Devane  (Elizabeth)  and  Kathleen Fouracre (Douglas); as well as
many deeply loved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces,  grand-nephews,  aunts,
uncles,  and  cousins; she was predeceased by her beloved father, Thomas
A. Devane Jr.; and

  WHEREAS,  Mary  Ann  Devane  Allen's   infinite   selflessness   and
benevolence will shine on through her family's vivid and happy memories;
her  insight  and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light
and hope to the countless lives she touched; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion, Mary Ann Devane Allen leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who  were  privileged to have known and loved such an amazing woman; she
will be deeply missed and truly merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Mary Ann Devane Allen, and to express its  deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Mary Ann Devane Allen.