Coram woman crowned Ms. NY Senior America

Donna Dean, who is 63 and hoped to show the world that "we're not little grandmas sitting in the rocking chair," was crowned winner of the Ms. New York Senior America pageant Sunday.

She won wearing an emerald green gown, as her children and grandchildren looked on.

In that regard, she did not stand out. All the contestants in the pageant, held before a crowd of hundreds in the Lindenhurst High School auditorium, were 60 or older.

"I am absolutely thrilled that I won," said Dean, a financial planner's assistant from Coram.

Dean outlasted a field of 12, including Hope Tovar of East Meadow, whose passion for animals led her to her career grooming dogs and cats; England-born Vivian Gurfein of Manhasset, a former Israeli Defense Forces volunteer and author of the book "Limey and Proud of It," and Iris Astrof of Massapequa Park, whose interests include organic gardening and kickboxing.

In the philosophy-of-life portion of the pageant, each contestant had 35 seconds to give meaning to existence. The program notes further demanded that this be done in a way that brings "inspiration and hope."

"Respect other people, they will respect you, and the world will go around more smoothly," was Gurfein's very respectable attempt. "Enjoy life, whether you are young or approaching the age of elegance," said Joan Garrison of Mount Sinai, who was wearing an aqua ball gown.

The talent portion commenced with musical numbers. Robyn Kumar of Plainview danced to "It's Raining Men" in a red raincoat that came off to reveal a slinky cocktail dress.

C.J. Marie of North Bellmore extended this theme, assuming the guise of a harried, glasses-wearing teacher as "She Works Hard for the Money" got under way. Before it got too far under way, hair came down, glasses and dress came off, another cocktail dress underneath.

Gurfein took on "I've Got a Loverly Bunch of Coconuts," which she said she'd first sung to children in London air raid shelters as Luftwaffe bombers began their runs.

Dean sang "Someone to Watch Over Me," nailed the high note and walked off, beaming. After accepting two bouquets of flowers, a crown, a plaque, a trophy, a sash and all the embraces of her contestants, she said that she'd been nervous but had pulled through thanks to them.

She'd entered the contest once before, finishing as runner-up, and spent little more than $50 for her entry fee each time, she said. She'd surprised herself this time -- "I don't think of myself as having poise" -- and it felt good.

As the state pageant's queen, Dean will represent New York in the Ms. Senior America pageant in October; meanwhile, she will visit nursing homes, hospitals, and serve as grand marshal for the occasional parade.

"My dreams don't have an expiration date," she said. "I didn't give up."