Mildred Pafundi Rosen, whose distinguished legal career included a seven-year stint as commissioner of the New York State Labor Relations Board under Gov. Nelson Rockefeller — the first woman to hold that position — died on June 9 in New York City. The East Hampton summer resident was 89 years old.
In an era when law schools were leery of accepting women, who were often suspected of marking time before marriage, Mrs. Rosen was a standout, first at St. John’s University, where she earned a bachelor of arts in 1954, and then at its law school, which awarded her an L.L.B. in 1957. Less than two years later she was appointed an assistant attorney general of the State of New York.
While serving in that post, she met and married N. Hilton Rosen. They lived in Brooklyn Heights for many years, and on La Forest Lane in East Hampton from 1975 to 1983.
In 1970, Governor Rockefeller named Mrs. Rosen head of the labor relations board, and she served until 1977 before moving on to another important job as director of the New York State Mortgage Agency.
She was born on Nov. 26, 1929, in Brooklyn to the former Rose Sabina and Michael Pafundi, and grew up there. At her death, the Rosens were living at United Nations Plaza in Manhattan, and spending summers on Ruxton Road here. She had been a member of the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society for 30 years.
Her husband of 56 years survives, as does their only child, Sharon Rosen of New York and East Hampton. Two grandchildren survive as well.
Burial was private. It took place on Saturday, at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.