FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 20, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 9
Queens pays tribute to Claire Shulman
John Racanelli
“I fi rst met Claire when I joined the
LDC Board in 2009, and was only generally
aware of her work and accomplishments
as Queens borough president.
As I began to work more closely
with Claire on LDC Projects, I witnessed
fi rst-hand those qualities for
which Claire was so highly loved and
respected — her dynamic leadership,
her ability to energize coalitions of
business and community leaders, and
public offi cials, for the advancement of
our LDC initiatives and her ease with
speaking truth to power. Claire was a
marvelous person, and will be missed
by all who had the privilege of knowing
and working with her.”
Toby Ann Stavisky
“Many of us thought that Claire was
indestructible, ageless and enduring.
Her legacy will be that and so much
more. While she was a trailblazer for
women, she fought to make everyone’s
life better. We pay tribute not
only to her accomplishments and caring,
but to her foresight and vision for
the future. She was a close friend for
many years and we would oft en attend
events together. As we drove throughout
Queens she would proudly exclaim
‘I put the shovel in the ground’ for a
building. Th at oft en happened. She
was so proud of her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchild and they
returned her love. While I learned a lot
from Claire, I am most grateful for her
friendship.”
Seth Bornstein
“I was honored to work directly for
Claire. She had a knack for hiring talented,
smart, and energetic people. I
was humbled, and in all honesty, sometimes
felt unsure and unworthy. Claire
was not a micromanager, but her standards
were high. One had to be prepared,
know the facts, and be willing
to work hard. A call from her assistant
Ginger that “the Borough President
wants to see you” meant that you had
better be ready to answer any question.
Claire knew the power of knowledge,
policy and advocacy. She ran meetings
with an effi ciency that would put the
military to shame. You came on time,
you were prepared, and you followed
through.Her accomplishments fi ll many
fi les; but importantly are all over our
borough. As a new generation seeks
to take the reins of public sector positions,
I hope they look at Claire’s legacy
and learn from her actions. And if they
do, they will succeed -- and we will all
be better for it. Th at will be her legacy.”
Jeff rey Rosenstock
“In 2001 we named the main auditorium
at Queens Th eatre in the Park
in honor of Claire Shulman and I am
so proud that the theatre will forever
honor her legacy this way. Aft er all, as
I oft en shared with our audiences and
stakeholders, ‘Th is is the house that
Claire Shulman built,’ or more directly,
‘No Claire Shulman, no Queens Th eatre
in the Park.’ And fearless Claire agreed
to my idea of playing “Ingrid Bergman
opposite Peter Vallone Sr’s Humphrey
Bogart in a spoof of ‘Casablanca”’in
the fi rst production of ‘Th e Legislative
Revue’ featuring the ‘talents’ of our
elected offi cials and community leaders.
Claire agreeing to participate led
to 24 other elected offi cials representing
our borough to take center stage.
And, Claire and Peter brought down
the house. Bravo Claire. I only wish
you could return now and take a welldeserved
curtain call for all you did for
our borough.”
Dorothy Lewandowski
“Claire Shulman was truly a Queens
gem. I had the pleasure of meeting
Claire in 2004 aft er she served
as Queens borough president. As our
friendship developed, it was so easy
to see how much she loved this borough,
and particularly its parks. She
was always available to me for guidance
and advice, oft en with her no-holdsbarred
opinion, for which I am forever
grateful. Although my friend Claire
has left this world, I am comforted by
knowing her legacy in our great borough
lives on.”
Jaclyn Mucaria
“Claire fi rst joined the board of
NewYork-Presbyterian Queens in 2002
and went through several name changes
through the years! She was twice
honored as the hospital’s distinguished
trustee by the United Hospital Fund.
She was instrumental in bringing the
cardiac surgery program to our hospital,
the fi rst such program in the borough
in 1996. Claire was a remarkable,
outspoken, forward-thinking person
whose life was dedicated to improving
the lives of the residents of Queens. She
also paved the way for women leaders
not only in Queens, but in the nation.
Claire loved this hospital and always
reminded us that she was and always
will be a nurse. She sat intently at every
board meeting and was interested in
every aspect of our hospital. Her goal,
along with ours was to provide excellent
care and keep our Queens residents
in Queens and not have them travel to
Manhattan for care. She would get so
excited when she felt that we could now
compete with any other hospital. Her
Linda DeSabato
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing
of Claire Shulman, a respected leader
and someone I was lucky enough
to call a dear friend. Claire was a rare
gift to Queens. Her passion played an
important role in all she touched. I’m
fortunate to have shared time with
her. Her enthusiasm for getting things
done and her mantra ‘never say never’
was infectious. She recently encouraged
Theresa Lenz gusto and zeal was infectious.”
“Claire was a remarkable woman
and a dear friend to me. I am grateful
to have worked with her at Queens
Theatre in the Park, as she endearingly
called it “The Playhouse,” and
truly honored to have spent the last
nine years working for her at the
LDC. The City of New York and
the Borough of Queens has lost one
of its most brilliant and dedicated
‘daughters.’ She made an indelible
mark on all of us, one that will forever
be cherished.”
me to ‘hang in there’ because
she too shared the same devotion and
determination to her work. It was an
honor to know her, she will be greatly
missed. My thoughts and prayers go
out to her family.”
Alex Rosa
“I called her ‘Ma.’ Professionally,
Claire taught me to stay focused, to
never give up and above all work your
heart out for Queens. But more than
that, Claire was my second mother. For
more than 40 years, we celebrated triumphs
together and shared our sorrows.
She brought me through some of
the toughest times of my life with her
love and, when needed, her tough love.
Claire showed me unwavering friendship,
how to meet and overcome personal
challenges and that there is a time
to work and also a time to play. She
meant the world to me.”
Lois Christie
“Claire was a mentor and role model
to many young entrepreneurs and I was
lucky enough to be one. I met Claire
when I had just started my business in
Bayside. For the next 40 years, Claire
always supported my business and
helped many women owned businesses
become successful. She was smart,
fearless and I could always count on
her for advice. She will be missed. Rest
in peace, Madam President.”
Jennifer Walden Weprin
“Claire took our ‘outer borough’ and
made it a force for changing lives and
changing this city. During her tenure as
borough president, she made sure City
Hall knew that there was more to NYC
than Manhattan. I could listen to her talk
for hours and hang on her every word.
Th ere was so much to learn from Claire.
On my birthday in July, Claire gave me a
card with these words: ‘To a lovely young
woman who represents a special symbol
of the future.’ I will take that as my charge
from Claire. She will always be with me.”
Joseph Ficalora
“Claire Shulman was a person
who had the highest respect from
all. Her commitment and dedication
to Queens are evident in her
many accomplishments. I would like
to express my sincere recognition of
her special life. Claire will truly be
missed by all.”
Carol Conslato
“I will always cherish Claire’s kindness,
guidance and friendship. She will
forever be the Queen of Queens. She
once told me a story about two gentlemen
she sat behind while returning on
a fl ight to JFK. When the plane landed
the one man told his friend to immediately
take a cab to Manhattan because
there was nothing to see in Queens.
Claire leaned over the seat and introduced
herself. She kept them on the
plane for an extra 20 minutes as everyone
else exited, telling them the highlights
of our great borough. Th e cleaning
staff had to ask her to leave.”
Mark Weprin
“I loved Claire Schulman. She was
smart, kind but tough. She got things
done. When she was borough president
and you were invited to a meeting
around that incredibly large boardroom
table at Borough Hall, it was never for
show. Claire never let a meeting end
without having a plan to make whatever
was discussed happen. We would all
leave with assignments and a date certain
to report back. Her list of accomplishments
is long. She has left an indelible
mark on the people and places of
Queens County. She will be missed.”
Helen Lee
“F & T Group is mourning with
Queens the loss of the irreplaceable
trailblazer, former Borough
President Claire Shulman. She was
a fearless, brilliant, genuine, caring
and thoughtful leader who was a
guiding light to so many people in
our community. Her legacy initiatives
and projects which will continue
to be enjoyed by generations to
come, laid the foundation for what
makes Queens the No. 1 Borough in
NYC. Her passion to revitalize downtown
Flushing will never be forgotten
and we will continue to carry on her
vision. Rest in peace, Claire…you will
be in our hearts forever.”
The Queens Courier asked the Queens
community to share their memories
and experiences with Claire Shulman.
Here is what was shared with us. Visit QNS.
com to read more tributes.
See more tributes on Page 10
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