NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer's Mom Dies From Coronavirus

NEW YORK, NY — Former New York City Councilwoman and Comptroller Scott Stringer's mother Arlene Stringer-Cuevas died Friday morning from the new coronavirus, Stringer confirmed.

Stringer-Cuevas — who Stringer credited with teaching him about the importance of public service — was the first woman to represent Washington Heights on New York City Council and also worked for the New York City Human Resources Administration. She was 86 years old.

"My mom was loving and compassionate, a dedicated grandmother and wife, and a generous friend who was a caring rock of support for those lucky enough to know her," Stringer said in a statement on Twitter. "A lifelong New Yorker, she was committed to public service and was a genuine trailblazer."

Stringer-Cuevas most recently lived in the Bronx and raised Scott and his brother as a single mom in Washington Heights, where she taught public school and worked as an English as a Second Language instructor, Stringer said. She later married Stringer's stepfather, Carlos.

Stringer thanked the nurses, doctors and first responders who cared for his mother and "countless New Yorkers at this difficult time."

More than 10,000 New York City dwellers had been hospitalized for COVID-19 and 1,562 had died from complications as of Thursday evening, according to the Health Department. New York State had 102,863 confirmed cases as of Friday morning, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"The loss I feel today is incalculable," Stringer wrote. "If there is any silver lining, it is that her memory — and the example she set for so many people — will be a legacy that will live on."