Mary Kuhn

To the Editor: It seems only appropriate to start with these three words that began so many of her public interventions as of late. To the editor, of course means to the readers, to her constituents, to her family and to all of you, the many people who loved Mary Kuhn, 76, who left this world peacefully early Saturday morning, after a 2-year bout with metastatic lung cancer.  Daughter of a firefighter and a native of the Bronx, NY, Mary came to the Syracuse area in 1966 to pursue studies at Lemoyne College where, as her longtime friend and freshman year roommate can attest, she still kneeled to say her prayers before bed each night. 

The religious devotion she was raised on, however, quickly translated to social commitment as she embraced feminist teachings in her newfound political involvement. Professionally, she channeled this devotion to others through her work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Hutchings, Onondaga Case Management, and later as director of County’s Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, all while building a private practice where she dedicated herself for two decades to working with families and children.  Her voice could be heard over the FM airwaves on Parenting Matters and Teen Talk, and even off the air she was quick to share her wisdom and guidance with those who sought it, and even at times those who did not. 

Her involvement in family and community was palpable, from PTA meetings and fundraisers to sporting and music events, filling gaps in her time driving people to polling stations or delivering for Meals on Wheels. As a self-described “recovering Catholic”, she surrounded herself in the communities of the parishes in St. Andrews and later All Saints, drawn by the primacy of social commitment of these open minded communities that preach the confoundingly controversial gospel of the poor. 

As her various careers began to wind down, and the AARP offers and cruise ship brochures started piling up in the mailbox, she quietly dropped them in the recycling and threw herself instead into democracy building. Aside from serving on the boards of ArtRage and the League of Women Voters, she co-founded Onondaga Votes! and worked to increase voter turnout locally. So many were these votes that , to the surprise of some, and dismay of others, she landed herself on the County Legislature in 2019 representing Dewitt and East Syracuse.  Here she once again worked tirelessly for justice and transparency, she was the eyes and ears of her constituents and the underserved throughout the county and a mouthpiece for those who felt their voice was lost. 

Beyond all of her work and activism, her many hats and the big shoes she has left us to fill, Mary was a caring and loving sister, grandmother, mother and partner, a friend and mentor to countless, and a shining example of the tremendous amount of good that a single person can do in this world. Mary is survived by her older siblings George and Dolores, husband David, sons Matthew and Christopher, grandsons Sean and Luca, and all of those who love her very dearly and will miss her tremendously.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday June 28th at All Saints Parish, 1340 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse, from 9:00-11:00am followed by a celebration of her life.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to local social justice organizations of your choice. 

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