Velina Ann Marshall was born in Panama and moved to the United States in the 1960’s. Not long after coming to America, she and her family settled in Wyandanch, where she eventually spent 20 years working for Estee Lauder.

 

During her time in the community, Marshall was heavily involved in her local church, leading a small staff of women and laborers, utilizing partnerships, donations, and her own money to feed the less fortunate during the thanksgiving and Christmas seasons for over 30 years.

 

Marshall provided meals to over 120,000 individuals. Her community service took place predominantly in Wyandanch, but also elsewhere in Suffolk County as well as in Nassau County and New York City.

 

Marshall passed away in February of 2022, but her legacy lives on as the street she called home for most of her life now bears her name. The section of Lincoln Avenue between Straight Path and Little East Neck Road in Wyandanch was renamed “Velina Ann Marshall Way” by the Town of Babylon recently to honor her years of service to the community.

 

Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez and Councilman Terence McSweeney were on-hand for the renaming. Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Monica Martinez  were also in attendance on behalf of State Senator John Brooks.