Councilwoman Anne Zusy Dies at Age 58

Updated: 9:10 a.m. June 4

Councilwoman Anne Zusy died Thursday following a recent bout with lung cancer.

Village Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert confirmed Zusy's death at the age of 58.

"The whole village and its governing body reaches out to her family and is distraught over her passing. It's distressing at the suddenness of her passing, and we are awaiting the opportunity to pay our condolences," he said.

At the council meeting May 18, Zusy's son, Alex Ortiz, said the councilwoman was in a rehabilitation facility recovering from her illness. Zusy had been absent from council meetings in recent months. Funeral services will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church June 8 at 11 a.m.

The councilwoman, a 15-year village resident, was elected to office in 2008, with Deputy Mayor Keith Killion and Councilman Paul Aronsohn. The deputy mayor talked about the ties the trio formed.

"When you run in the same election, you form a special bond. It's natural. Sometimes it was tenuous, but we always worked together," Killion said.

Calling her a colleague, friend and confidant, Killion said Zusy "joked that me and her were polar opposites politically. She always found common ground. I was conservative and she was liberal, but it worked."

Killion said he knew Zusy for nearly 20 years and always kept in touch with her prior to election. He was impressed with her problem-solving ability.

"She would basically inject herself into situations to find a solution. There always had to be a solution, a middle ground. She wouldn't take no for an answer," Killion said. "She was the energizer bunny. She was Annie."

Councilman Patrick Mancuso said he knew it pained Zusy to miss council meetings.

"Anyone else would have given up months ago, but she was a fighter," he said.

With Killion, as well, Mancuso originally met Zusy 15 years ago when a group of residents formed the Ridgewood Youth Council. 

"It took a lot of meetings and time and perseverance to finally get that program going," Mancuso said. "And she never gave up. Never quit. She was always passionate with anything she was involved in."

Her commitment to Ridgewood extended to the downtown, an area Zusy strived to revitalize.

"She was a big supporter of the business downtown and was one of our biggest heroes," said Tony Damiano, Mango Jam owner and founder of the Ridgewood Guild.

In February, Zusy opened up her West Ridgewood Avenue home for informal chats on local businesses. Damiano presented the idea for the Guild at Zusy's first luncheon, and later had Zusy's daughter, Katie, perform at the group's inaugural "Music in the Night" event. 

"It is a great loss for the village. She's one of those familiar faces around town and made sure to always support the businesses," he said.

As a councilwoman, Zusy served as a Planning Board member and representative to the Ridgewood Environmental Action Committee.

On the Planning Board, Zusy oversaw the proposed expansion hearings at The Valley Hospital. Activist group spokesman Paul Gould frequently interacted with Zusy.

"The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood are extremely saddened by the news that Anne has passed away. She loved Ridgewood dearly and committed herself whole-heartedly in her public service. We supported her candidacy to council and felt her passion. Her unique and personable style was a breath-of-fresh-air to Village Hall," Gould said in a statement.

"On a personal note, I spent many hours with Anne sharing ideas on the value of community in Ridgewood. Anne saw herself as a catalyst to bring people together, and she enthusiastically embraced this both publicly and privately. I feel I have lost a friend and an asset to our community."

Tom Riche served with Zusy on the Planning Board and, after winning election in May, was set to be her council colleague.

"It's a sad day for Ridgewood. She was a force. She had so much passion and made a big difference," Riche said. "She was always thoughtful and well informed, and brought additional levels of concern to conversations."

Village Clerk Heather Mailander described Zusy as a "woman full of energy and involved in every aspect of village life. She was a dear friend, and I'll miss her a lot." 

Council will appoint an interim council member to serve in Zusy's place until an election can be held in November, Mailander said. The person elected would serve out the remainder of Zusy's term. 

Prior to her official capacity as councilwoman, Zusy headed the Ridgewood Youth Advisory Committee and served as president of the federated Home and School Association at George Washington Middle School.

Professionally, Zusy worked as a journalist with The New York Times and The Village Gazette.

Zusy is survived by her husband, Al Ortiz, two daughters—Eliza and Katie—and a son, Alex.