Assembly Resolution No. 496
BY: M. of A. Seawright
MOURNING the death of Caroline Joyce Whitby,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of her
community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, We honor the life of Caroline Joyce Whitby who died on
April 22, 2023, at 88 years old; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 24, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
Caroline Joyce Whitby obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree from
Carlow University and her Masters of Social Work Degree from Fordham
University; and
WHEREAS, Later becoming a psychoanalyst, Caroline Joyce Whitby
received her training from The New York Psychoanalytic Institute; and
WHEREAS, A community activist, Caroline Joyce Whitby served as a
member of her local East Hampton Library, Secretary of the Executive
Board and parishioner of St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Amagansett,
Secretary and former President of the Hampton Waters Property Owners
Association, Inc., and as a member of the National Association of Social
Workers, delivering a paper at its distinguished conference in Atlanta;
and
WHEREAS, Caroline Joyce Whitby was Co-Founder of EEGO, the East End
Gay Organization, an usher at East Hampton's Guild Hall and also hosted
a myriad of events at her home in Long Island, including a large dinner
party fundraiser for the East Hampton Library's Annual event, the
Feminist Press, and Bob Kerry for President events; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong feminist and LGBTQ activist, Caroline Joyce
Whitby was proud of her work as a member of the Board of Directors of
SAGE, providing advocacy and services for LGBT Elders and served on the
Board of Directors of the Feminist Press at CUNY, an educational
nonprofit organization founded to advance women's rights and amplify
feminist perspectives; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Caroline Joyce Whitby was also an editor of
Roe v. Wade attorney Sarah Weddington's "A Question of Choice"; and
WHEREAS, A woman of many talents and passions, Caroline Joyce Whitby
was an avid reader, a gourmet cook, enjoyed eating good food, drank fine
wine, and loved her cats Mindy, Jack, and Mimi; she was known for
preparing exquisite scallops provencal and bourbon-soaked ham among
other dishes; and
WHEREAS, Caroline Joyce Whitby was married to the late Betty D. Fox
for 48 years and is the mother to Duong "James" Fox, mother-in-law to
Hien Ngoc, and grandmother to 3-year-old Jack and 1-year-old Betty; and
WHEREAS, For over 50 years, Caroline Joyce Whitby has resided in
East Hampton and New York City's West Village at Sheridan Square; and
WHEREAS, Caroline Joyce Whitby's commitment to excellence, and her
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise,
including charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit imbued with a sense of
compassion, Caroline Joyce Whitby 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
mourn the death of Caroline Joyce Whitby, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Caroline Joyce Whitby.
