We are saddened to announce the passing away of our beloved Peggy Murphy, past Club Secretary. Peggy passed away on 16 September after a sudden illness. She was 77Peggy was born January 1, 1944, in Flushing, New York to Robert and Elizabeth Van Arsdale. She spent her first years with her maternal grandparents in Bayside while her father fought in World War II. The family then moved to Canton, Ohio briefly before relocating to the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. She returned to New York City and enrolled at the Katherine Gibbs School and shortly after completion she worked as an executive secretary for Eastern Airlines. Around 1967, she met the love of her life, John Murphy. They were wed on 2 October 1971. That night they danced to “Misty” by Ella Fitzgerald. Her world was shattered when John preceded her in death on 11 October 2004. She busied herself by playing Sudoku, never shying from a high-difficulty game. She loved pizza on a Friday night and ice cream on days that ended in Y. She found joy in her pets—Killian, Snoopy, and Hudson. Peggy preferred you not interrupt Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune and if you knew the answer, you best bite your tongue and not call out.
She loved to watch the Mets, Giants, and Rangers play. She was a huge Florida State fan. Throughout her life, she loved The Beach Boys and was beyond words excited to see them in concert a few years ago. She loved working with children. Her work as a class mother at St. Matthew School in Hastings-on-Hudson served as an inspiration to become a teacher, working mostly with 4th grade. For twenty-two years, Peggy worked at St. Mary School in Yonkers, New York.
Peggy loved to help people and her willingness to serve people to make this world a better place. That love lead her to Rotary, where she served with distinction. She held the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club together as Secretary for a number of years. She was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. She was involved in a number of projects that focused on improving the circumstances of children. Two such projects include the delivery of school supplies and pencil boxes to Yonkers Public School primary students and the playground installation at School 9 in Yonkers (which was her husband’s grade school).
Her greatest joy was found in helping others. She did not realize how much she was loved or fathom how greatly she will be missed by those she leaves behind. Peggy joins her beloved John and is survived by her daughter Anne Elizabeth.
Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Sunday 19 September 2-6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, 20 September at 11 am. The final Disposition is private.
Peggy was an advocate for young women who could use help in advancing their education. The Club is considering establishing a scholarship in Peggy's name to help ypung women with their education. Anyone wishing to donate can do so via the Club website. Please be sure to indicate "Peggy Murphy Memorial Scholarship".
In the aftermath of the devasting 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti on 14 August, our Club has undertaken an urgent project to send relief supplies to the stricken people of Haiti. The Club Board has approved the purchase of 12 barrels to be loaded up with clothing, non-perishable food items, and school supplies. Club Volunteers will load up these barrels with the donated supplies on 8 September 2021 at 5 pm. The project headquarters is at the office of Club Membership Chair George John, Century 21 Royal at 679 Central Avenue, Scarsdale.
In awarding this honor to VP Bina, who is also the District's Area Assistant Governor for Area 5, DG Mary cited Bina's dedication, innovation, development of 2 new Clubs, social media activities and her support for the District's goals as the main factors for selecting her for this award. In receiving the award, VP Bina said she was humbled and honored to be selected for this award. In an emotionally choked voice, she said she believed teamwork was the key ingredient for success. She expressed her gratitude to DG Mary and thanked her for her outstanding leadership.
The two auctions significantly replenished the Club's Foundation resources, permitting the Club to undertake projects which could not otherwise have been undertaken.
Yonkers city and community leaders were at hand as the Yonkers-East Yonkers Club distributed over 10,000 masks to local community service organizations on Saturday 17 April 2021. These masks are part of the 5.5 million maks distributed by the Rossi Family Foundation and Rotary International via local Rotary Clubs in the North-East. Mayor Mike Spano, County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, City Council President Mike Khader, NYS Assemblymember Nader Sayegh, were present as were Rotary District Governor Mary Shackleton, President Steve Simpson, and Assistant Governor Bina Ahmad. Also attending were Immediate Past District Governor Mahbub Ahmad, Past District Governor Greg Arcaro, and District Governor Nominee-Designee J. Loren Russell - all are members of our Club.
The Yonkers-East Yonkers Club rises to the leadership role yet again. Our Past President Rev. J. Loren Russell will become the 11th District Governor for Rotary District 7230 from our Club, when he assumes the role on 1 July 2023. 
