Obituary for Marie Lugano
Marie Lugano
1942 – 2022
A New Yorker – for all
Marie left this world in comfort on Saturday, November 5.
Her voice was a presence throughout the world, most especially in NYC, where she was a professional event organizer on Wall Street for Bear Stearns and a tireless and passionate advocate in her community.
Marie left her Wall Street career and founded a national non-profit dedicated to women’s health, The American Menopause Foundation, in 1994. A major accomplishment was securing State Government Proclamations in all 50 states declaring September as Menopause Awareness Month, which was then proclaimed by President William J. Clinton in 2000. Her work at the Foundation raised awareness for women’s health issues and raised millions of dollars for research. The most prominent research was with a multi-national pharmaceutical company who sponsored breast cancer detection mobile units and annual education events for nurses. She spoke before a Congressional Committee on behalf of women’s health in America and lectured to more than 500,000 women in corporations, health organizations, government agencies, prisons and on television and radio programs. She held 15 annual symposiums and other events throughout the country with nationally known scientists, health experts and authors. She developed and conducted quarterly Scientific Board Meetings for a 32-member board of scientists, doctors, registered nurses and executives.
Marie’s love of New York City and activism led to an appointment by Mayor Koch on the Community Board. Her activism raised funds to plant trees on her beloved E 24th street. She served on many boards and most recently with her local police precinct 13. Her advocacy reached everyone who knew her as a tireless “get out the vote” messenger.
Her talents left a legacy for all who knew her as a sculptor, teacher and NYC history expert, but it was her conversations that left indelible marks on all of our hearts as they continued right to her last day with us. She is very much missed.
Services will be held in her honor at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan.
1942 – 2022
A New Yorker – for all
Marie left this world in comfort on Saturday, November 5.
Her voice was a presence throughout the world, most especially in NYC, where she was a professional event organizer on Wall Street for Bear Stearns and a tireless and passionate advocate in her community.
Marie left her Wall Street career and founded a national non-profit dedicated to women’s health, The American Menopause Foundation, in 1994. A major accomplishment was securing State Government Proclamations in all 50 states declaring September as Menopause Awareness Month, which was then proclaimed by President William J. Clinton in 2000. Her work at the Foundation raised awareness for women’s health issues and raised millions of dollars for research. The most prominent research was with a multi-national pharmaceutical company who sponsored breast cancer detection mobile units and annual education events for nurses. She spoke before a Congressional Committee on behalf of women’s health in America and lectured to more than 500,000 women in corporations, health organizations, government agencies, prisons and on television and radio programs. She held 15 annual symposiums and other events throughout the country with nationally known scientists, health experts and authors. She developed and conducted quarterly Scientific Board Meetings for a 32-member board of scientists, doctors, registered nurses and executives.
Marie’s love of New York City and activism led to an appointment by Mayor Koch on the Community Board. Her activism raised funds to plant trees on her beloved E 24th street. She served on many boards and most recently with her local police precinct 13. Her advocacy reached everyone who knew her as a tireless “get out the vote” messenger.
Her talents left a legacy for all who knew her as a sculptor, teacher and NYC history expert, but it was her conversations that left indelible marks on all of our hearts as they continued right to her last day with us. She is very much missed.
Services will be held in her honor at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan.