They Made Our City Better

Recently three New Yorkers passed away who, in their own quiet but profound ways, made this city better.

They weren't famous (well, one was a little famous), they weren't household names, but they lived lives and had careers that left an imprint on the life of NYC.

The city government today would be a lot different if not for a man named Edward Sadowsky. A 24-year member of the city council from Queens, he pushed for reforms that eventually led to the abolition of the Board of Estimate and growth and empowerment of the council. Because of him, the city government became more democratic, more representative, more reflective of the populace. He also wrote and passed the legislation to create the cultural affairs department and the Taxi & Limousine Commission -- a lasting legacy for our city. RIP.

Then there's Helene Fortunoff. If you're old enough to remember, you might have once upon shopped at a Fortunoff jewelry store. She married a man whose family had a mom-and-pop store and she turned it into a retail giant with a flagship on Fifth Avenue and stores around the NYC region. It became a popular place for couples and high-end shoppers to buy jewelry, and the business lasted for years (because Helene retired and sold the company). She even hired Lauren Bacall to be the company's spokeswoman, giving Fortunoff some Hollywood glamour. Helene Fortunoff was a tough NYC broad who did good. RIP.

Finally, Bettina Grossman, a 50-year resident of the Chelsea Hotel, an artist who never quite made it but who dedicated her whole life to art and creation. She was a character, and eccentric, and she made her mark in the cultural life of NYC. RIP.