Jean Lawson Stone

Jean was the first woman mayor of Scarsdale, New York, elected in 1981. Her tenure was a tumultuous one, with one Village controversy landing in front of the Supreme Court.

A 1983 editorial in the Scarsdale Inquirer titled “Grace Under Pressure” noted, “Certainly no previous mayor has had to deal with the succession of controversies that beset Mrs. Stone, often through no fault of her own. The creche dispute, the Freightway project, the advent of two-party politics and the raccoon population explosion were all building before she was elected, and it was her bad luck that they blew up during her time in office. But it was the village’s good luck, for without ever compromising her principles, she handled them as gracefully, as fairly and with as much humor and patience as anyone could have.”

It was the creche dispute – a controversy about placing a religious display on village property – that ended in a lawsuit, “McCreary v. Stone” that made its way to the highest court. Jean had twice cast the majority vote in favor of moving the display to private property. The Supreme Court was deadlocked over the decision, so a lower court ruling permitting the creche on public property stayed in place.

Born in Del Rio, Texas, Jean graduated from Austin High School and the University of Texas. She had an active civic life. She was serving on the Scarsdale Board of Trustees when she was

nominated for mayor. Jean was also the Police Commissioner (and the first woman in the position), as well as chairwoman of the Zoning and Planning Committee of the board. Additionally, she served on the Finance, Personnel and Public Works and Transportation committees.

Before her involvement with Village government, Jean was president of the Village Club, the Heathcote Association and the Fox Meadow PTA. She also chaired the Public Affairs Committee of the Scarsdale Women’s Club and the Voter Service Committee of the Scarsdale League of Women Voters.

She received “The Scarsdale Bowl” in 1986, presented to the one citizen each year for outstanding service to the community. Jean also became interested in mental health issues and served as Board President of what was then known as The Mental Health Association of Westchester.

In her later years, Jean enjoyed traveling and fishing with her devoted husband, Donald Stone, who died in 2017. She loved a succession of cats. She remained completely up to date on national politics. When she was declared legally blind, Jean listened to NPR news on a podcast, as well as audio books on politics and a range of other topics. She retained her faculties and her sense of humor until the end of her life.

Jean lived in Scarsdale for nearly 70 years. She is survived by three of her four children, Donald Todd Stone (Lori Stone), Amy Stone (Greg Snider) and Kate Stone Lombardi (Michael Lombardi.) Her son William predeceased her. Other survivors include

grandchildren Emily Stone Tucker, Jean Lawson Lombardi, Todd Glenn, Anna Lawson Stone, Marley Stone Bourke and Paul Lombardi, and five great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greater Mental Health of New York.