Sleepy Hollow Honors Fallacaro's Lifetime of Service

Filomena Fallacaro was surprised Saturday afternoon with a special party in her honor. This lifelong Sleepy Hollow resident (though she might refer to it, as lifetime residents often do, as North Tarrytown), was first honored by Senator Greg Ball in early September as among the 22 Women of Distinction in district 40 who entered his Hall of Fame for their diverse and deep contributions.

This wasn’t sufficient though for our village staff and officials, who felt that after six decades of working for the village she should be honored here as well. The luncheon served in her honor at the Gargano Senior Center was full of friends, village personnel and family, and Fallacaro was rendered speechless. She wiped away a tear and said “I’m overwhelmed” as Mayor Ken Wray presented her with her second plaque in as many weeks.

Fallacaro still comes to work daily as she has been since being appointed Village Clerk back in 1953. The Mayor reminded her, jokingly, that Monday would be no exception, as she received her plaque and a bouquet of flowers at the head of the room. 

Read more on her accomplishments here.

A statement from Senator Ball explains the launch of his special women-only wing of his ongoing Hall of Fame project.

“The Women of Distinction Ceremony was a project I launched in recognition of Women’s History Month and inspired by the accomplished and outstanding women I have had the privilege of collaborating with through my current tenure serving the people of the 40th Senate District. While all those nominated have worked and volunteered without want of recognition, their efforts have not gone without notice or appreciation,” said Senator Greg Ball. “The diversity and depth of their work speaks to the amount of time and dedication each has volunteered on behalf of and in support of a simple truth; that all change is local. Each took it upon herself to respond to some compelling community need. These women did not wait or idle when the opportunity for real change presented itself. Instead, each used her own unique talents and skills to respond to an issue or challenge in her community that merited action.”

Fallacaro isn’t alone in Sleepy Hollow; another resident recently honored by Ball represents the other end of the age spectrum, student Sophie Phillips.

Now attending Rochester Institute of Technology, Philips was honored “for the compassion, kindness and serenity she brings to the patients in the Cancer Ward of Westchester Medical Center," the statement on Ball's website states. "When her best friend was diagnosed at age 12 with ovarian cancer, Ms. Phillips visited the hospital every day, realizing the passion she had for working with and helping others who are in the hospital setting.” 

You can read more about Phillips here.

Congrats to both of these outstanding women of Sleepy Hollow. Know someone else who deserves the honor in our villages? Share here.