Edith Spivak, city's first female attorney dies, aged 95.New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. Law Department announced the passing of Edith I. Spivack, 95--a woman called "a living institution" by Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo. Spivack, one of the first female attorneys in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of City's history and one of the first female attorneys to represent the City in legal matters, passed away peacefully yesterday on Long Island after a brief illness. She joined the New York City Law Department in 1934, during the first year of the Fiorello H. La Guardia La Guar·di·a , Fiorello Henry Known as "the Little Flower." 1882-1947. American politician who was a U.S. representative from New York (1917-1921 and 1923-1933) and mayor of New York City (1934-1945). Administration, and continued working for 70-plus years, serving under 10 mayors and 23 corporation counsels. She is believed to have been the longest-serving employee in New York City's history. An ever-present fixture in the office until last December (when she "officially" retired at age 94), Edith was known for her quick sense of humor Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour , sage legal input and motherly moth·er·ly adj. 1. Of, like, or appropriate to a mother: motherly love. 2. Showing the affection of a mother. adv. In a manner befitting a mother. advice, which often included matchmaking Matchmaking Matricide (See MURDER.) Kecal marriage broker whose plans are foiled by a pair of lovers. [Czech Opera: Smetana The Bartered Bride in Osborne Opera, 32] Levi, Dolly efforts. The Mayor honored her at an event at City Hall last December, where she humorously upstaged him by proudly declaring that--although Mayor Bloomberg's mother went to college at the same time as she did--she "went to Barnard." Remembering Edith, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg noted , "Our City is a better place today because of Edith Spivack's tireless dedication. Edith never stopped fighting for New Yorkers. We are grateful for her years of service and commitment to New York City." Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo said, "Edith paved the way for generations of attorneys who followed in public service, particularly female attorneys. For more than 70 years, she served as a tireless advocate for the City in complex legal matters. We will miss her dearly. Former Mayor Edward I. Koch noted, "When I was mayor, the toughest lawyer representing the City was Edith Spivack. What a woman ... what a lawyer!" |
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