First Female Mayor of Niagara Falls Passes | Buffalo News

Buffalo News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 28, 2026 · 1m

Irene J. Elia, Niagara Falls’ first female mayor and a lifelong champion of community service, passed away at 95, leaving behind a legacy of leadership that touched every corner of her hometown. Before becoming mayor in 2000, she built a career as a nurse, university administrator, and health association director, then turned her focus to senior housing and advocacy. During her mayoral term, she was deeply involved in local boards and honored with a playground dedication at St. Peter’s School. A licensed real estate broker and entrepreneur, she owned companies dedicated to elderly housing…