Helen Lavorata, Wife Of Lindenhurst Mayor, Dies At 59

LINDENHURST, NY - It's a sad day in Lindenhurst.

Mayor Michael Lavorata announced on Thursday that his wife of 37 years, Helen Lavorata, died after a battling with brain cancer for almost 17 months. She was 59.

"She fought until the very end. She left the world at sunrise this morning at the hand of God. Knowing my girl, that was how shes wanted to go," he wrote in a heartfelt post on Facebook. "She left on her terms."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but will be handled by the Lindenhurst Funeral Home, located on South Wellwood Avenue.

Read the rest of Mayor Lavorata's beautiful tribute below:

While I will miss her every day for the rest of my life, her memory will remain eternal. Nicole and I wish to thank you all for the constant prayers, kind words, visits, meals, gift card, donations, flowers and just your wonderful and healing love. While she had a short life, she lived more than most. She was kind and generous. She was the reason for all of my successes as they would not have been possible without her by my side. I will love you forever my sweet love. Until we meet again.