There she is: Queen Dolores of Island Park

It was surreal!

“It was and still feels surreal,” said Hofman. “It was the experience of a lifetime!”

Island Park resident Dolores Hofman was a pioneer, a trailblazer, and a woman before her time. But these days? Well, you can just call her Queen Dolores.

Hofman, 69, (who’s nicknamed “Cookie,”) earned the title of Ms. New York Senior America this spring when she was crowned at Hofstra University. She went on to compete in the national Ms. Senior America pageant held in Atlantic City in October, and placed in the top ten — something that’s only been done a couple of times with New York contestants in recent years.

“It was and still feels surreal,” said Hofman. “It was the experience of a lifetime! It was an honor making the top ten because the competition was stiff — and the winner, Ms. Missouri, had the whole package.” Hofman added that there was never a feeling of competition among the women, and whenever any of them needed anything, from a strapless bra to a hearty hug, they were there to help one another. “That’s just who we are.”

Hofman displays the graciousness of her fellow Cameo sisters, an offshoot of the state’s pageant that includes former and current contestants, headed by New York director Marleen Schuss.

The Ms. New York Senior America, now in its 31st year, showcases women over 60, or “The Age of Elegance.” These active and dynamic women are loaded with experience and talent: some of them sing, dance, recite, do stand-up comedy, and more. The contestants are judged on their personal interview with the judges, an evening gown presentation, their pre-written philosophy of life, and their talent.

About Queen Dolores

Hofman was born in the Bronx and raised in Levittown. She attended Farmingdale College and began her aviation career in 1966 working for Pan American World Airways. Just before their demise, she moved up to become the director of personnel for Evergreen International Airlines, hiring for the entire East Coast. For the past 25 years, she has been program manager of the Queens Air Services Development office, and she celebrates her 50th anniversary at JFK this month. Two weeks ago, she was honored by the Pan Am Museum Foundation for being the first woman to drive a forklift, unload trucks and work in a warehouse at Kennedy airport.

Hofman is the past president of Animal Lifeline, a local organization promoting low cost spay/neuter for stray cats and dogs; she is currently a member of dozens of organizations, she performs Reiki healings, and has been certified to officiate marriages. She has traveled the world for her various causes, and has received many proclamations, honors, and accolades for her work.

Regarding the Ms. New York Senior America pageant, Hofman said that she couldn’t have done it without her husband, Ed. “He tells me like it is,” she said. “When I was onstage in Atlantic City, I heard him from the front row, shouting, ‘Go, hon!’”

Hofman advises other women over 60 to just “go for it! “It may be scary, but the pleasures far outweigh the nervousness. Everyone has a talent — It could be singing, dancing, reciting poetry, or something else. Just do it!”

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