Hundreds of mourners packed the memorial service Thursday for Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy at the city's Armory Unity Center.
Kennedy was serving her second term as the city's mayor.
The city is asking people to send flowers that can be replanted in in her honor.
"She crossed so many barriers here: color, religion, politics," said Dan Brown, a mourner. "She had this talent to bring people together."
She was one of three public officials from Newburgh to die this past week.