Judy Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judy Kennedy
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| Mayor of Newburgh, New York | |
| In office January 1, 2012 – April 15, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Nicholas J. Valentine |
| Succeeded by | Torrance Harvey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 25, 1944 Salmon, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 2018 (aged 73) Newburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Ovarian cancer |
| Political party | Independent (2015–2018) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (before 2015) |
| Spouse |
James Kennedy
(m. 1964; div. 1981) |
| Alma mater | Eastern Oregon State College Colorado State College (B.S.) |
| Occupation | Politician, businesswoman |
Judy Kennedy (born October 25, 1944 – died April 15, 2018) was an American politician and businesswoman. She was best known for being the Mayor of Newburgh, New York. She served as mayor from 2012 until her death in 2018.
Before becoming mayor, Kennedy worked for Hewlett-Packard in the 1990s. She later moved to Newburgh. As mayor, she worked hard to improve Newburgh's image. She focused on making the city safer, bringing in new businesses, and making neighborhoods better places to live.
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Early Life and Family
Judy Kennedy was born in Salmon, Idaho, on October 25, 1944. When she was ten, she helped care for her family. Her mother worked full-time, and her father had two jobs.
Three years later, her family moved to Baker City, Oregon. After high school, Judy married James Kennedy in 1964. She worked as a dental assistant. They divorced in 1981, and she raised her four children.
Education and Career Journey
Judy Kennedy was very active in her community. She taught crafts at her church and led the youth group. She also helped organize many fundraising events for her church.
After her divorce, she went back to school. She studied at Eastern Oregon State College. Later, she transferred to Colorado State College. In 1982, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
In the 1990s, Kennedy moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. She worked for a big company called Hewlett-Packard. She also worked as a consultant for other organizations. In 2006, she moved to Newburgh, New York. She wanted to be closer to her son and help him remodel his home.
Becoming Mayor of Newburgh
Judy Kennedy decided to run for Mayor of Newburgh in 2011. She was upset about a big increase in local taxes. She started a group of citizens who collected signatures. They wanted to show state lawmakers in Albany, New York, how many people were concerned.
Kennedy won the election and took office on January 1, 2012. She replaced the previous mayor, Nicholas J. Valentine. Her main goals were to lower taxes for everyone. She also wanted to create more jobs that paid well. She aimed to make the government work better by using facts and measuring results.
Improving Newburgh's Reputation
Mayor Kennedy worked hard to change Newburgh's image. At the time, it was known as one of the most dangerous places to live. She focused on reducing crime and bringing in new businesses. She also worked to make neighborhoods more lively and attractive.
Early in her first term, she created "Community Action Teams." These teams worked on many issues. They helped with making the city beautiful and creating jobs. They also focused on public safety and planning a city-wide arts festival.
Kennedy faced some challenges during her time as mayor. However, she gained support from many people. She won a second term in 2015. She ran as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary election.
Health and Final Years
In May 2016, Mayor Kennedy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Despite her illness, she continued to work for the city council. In April 2017, many Newburgh residents gathered to celebrate her life and honor her work. She traveled to Mexico that month for medical treatment.
In an interview in March 2018, Kennedy shared her hopes for Newburgh's future. She wished that people would work together more peacefully. She also mentioned that Newburgh needed more financial help from New York state. Even though progress was slow, she remained hopeful about the city's crime rates improving.
After her death, the city council chose Torrance Harvey to be the new mayor in May 2018.
Death
Judy Kennedy passed away from ovarian cancer on April 15, 2018. She was 73 years old and was receiving hospice care in Newburgh.
Many people shared their sadness after her death. U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney posted a message on Twitter. He said that he and Judy Kennedy both loved Newburgh. He saw her working every day to make Newburgh a better place for its wonderful people.
A memorial service was held for her on April 19. Family members and local politicians, including Representative Maloney, attended the service.
