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Island Park woman wins Ms. New York Senior America

Theatre at Hofstra hosts 31st annual event for women in the 'Age of Elegance'

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Dolores Hofman, of Island Park, was crowned the new Ms. New York Senior America last Sunday at the organization’s 31st annual pageant held at the John Adams Theatre at Hofstra University.

“The experience has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me!” said Hofman. “I have never been in the company of so many like minded women before in my life. I look so forward to the rest of the year (and the rest of my life) with these lovely ladies.”

Hofman was one of 11 contestants, including Teri George, Doris Bodine, Jean Boynton, Margarita Rojas, Paula Zdazenski, Gerry Russell, Marie Quigley, Celeste Belletti, Judy Berman and Shirley Darkeh. All of the women are 60 years of age or older.

The 1st Runner-up was Doris Bodine

The 2nd Runner-up was Celeste Belletti

The 3rd Runner-up was Teri George

The 4th Runner-up was Marie Quigley

The pageant included a philosophy of life, written and recited by the women, an evening gown competition, a talent portion, and a personal interview with the judges

Hofman attended Farmingdale University and started her aviation career with Pan American World Airways. During her twenty-three years with them, she worked her way through the ranks of the Cargo (as the first female to drive a forklift and unload trucks at Kennedy Airport), material and personnel departments. Today, as program manager of the Queens Air Services Development Office, she matches aviation purchasing needs with Queens’ businesses.

She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce (who named her and her husband, Ed, “Business Persons of the Year”). She is a former member of the Air Cargo Association, served on the board for the Animal Protection Institute of America, and is a 35-year member and past president of Animal Lifeline. She also has many other prestigious awards and citations.

“Overall, this is the cherry on the icing of the cake of my life,” Hofman said after her crowning. “I feel so privileged, grateful and truly blessed!”