Mayor’s Message: In Memoriam: Frances MacEachron, Mayor Hastings-on-Hudson, 1981 to 1993
Posted on: August 9, 2019 - 5:31pm
Dear Everyone,
As many of you have heard by now, Frances DePuydt MacEachron, the first woman Mayor of Hastings passed away yesterday, she was 94. Fran, as most people called her, was Mayor from 1981 to 1993. Even though I didn’t know her, she was an inspiration to me and to many other women in local politics as a pioneering female politician in an era when it was relatively uncommon for women to have leadership roles in municipal government.
By coincidence, the sad news came as we were frantically pulling together our submission and letters of support for a grant to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program, for study and development of permitting plans for improvements to the shoreline of MacEachron Waterfront Park, which was named in Fran’s honor. As Mayor, she had been instrumental in acquiring the land to preserve open space and to provide public access to the waterfront for the community. The park is truly a gem, and in applying for the grant our goal was to improve this important river access site so it is more resilient to erosion, tidal flooding and sea-level rise and to better manage stormwater runoff.
Fran’s park is loved by a broad range of residents and visitors … People come at dawn to practice Tai Chi in solitude on the banks of the magnificent “river that flows both ways.” Families meet for picnics in this picturesque spot where they can enjoy stunning views of the ancient Palisades and the soaring Manhattan skyline. Parents bring their children to explore the play apparatus (though many of the kids can’t resist chasing the geese that have also adopted the park). Patrons of Harvest-on-Hudson sip cocktails in the fragrant restaurant gardens as they watch the sun set. Bridal parties and bar/bat mitzvah families frequently take photographs in the park during their celebrations with the Hudson River as a backdrop. Our first responders hold their annual Memorial Day picnic there. The park hosts a sculpture that honors the Hudson River School Painters and has been the venue for many beloved music and arts events including the River Spirit Concerts and the Popcorn and Puppet Festivals. Every time I’m in the park I think of Fran and her legacy ….
By all accounts, Fran was one of those people who magically make things happen. Prior to her election as Mayor, she served on the Hastings School Board from 1968 to 1976 and was President from 1972 to 1974. She served on numerous other local boards and organizations including the League of Women Voters; the Hastings Parent-Teacher Association; the Lyndhurst Board, a National Trust for Historic Preservation site; and the Westchester Community College Foundation Board. As Mayor, Fran helped the Village acquire Draper Park, including the Observatory Cottage, now the home of the Hastings Historical Society. Among many other achievements, she spearheaded efforts to rebuild Chemka Pool, install a new Public Works garage, and create a public park at the VFW building.
Fran loved our Village - she moved here in 1954 with her husband, raised her children here and dedicated many years of her life to its service. In her honor, we will have a remembrance celebration of her life in the park that bears her name in the early fall when everyone is back from holiday. Please send any stories or memories you have of Fran and we will share them then.
Fran, from all of us in the place you called home for many years, may you rest in peace …
Fran, from all of us in the place you called home for many years, may you rest in peace …
Sincerely,
Nicola Armacost
Mayor
mayor@hastingsgov.org
Mayor
mayor@hastingsgov.org