East Rockaway, Lynbrook Women of Distinction honored

Thirteen outstanding women from East Rockaway, Lynbrook and surrounding communities in the 21st Assembly district were honored by Assemblyman Brian Curran last Saturday at the Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook during the annual Women of Distinction event.

These women were recognized as having gone above and beyond the call of civic engagement and outreach to make Nassau County a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Also in attendance will be 23 former Women of Distinction honorees.

“The selflessness these women have shown to our community is an uplifting example of devotion to our area and residents. It is my honor to show them this small token of recognition for the hard work and dedication they have shown to our community,” said Curran.

Among the winners were area residents Catherine Quinn, of East Rockaway; and Alicemarie Bresnihan and Dr. Patricia Sympson, of Lynbrook.

Alicemarie Bresnihan

Bresnihan and her husband, John, have lived in Lynbrook since 1959. They have nine children, all of whom are Lynbrook High School graduates, and 21 grandchildren (two currently attending Lynbrook schools). Bresnihan is a college graduate and a retired Nassau County probation officer. She has been a member of the Lynbrook Board of Education since 1975 and has held many within the district. She has lobbied Albany and Washington, D.C. on behalf of Lynbrook’s schools as a member of the Audit and Policy Committees for the Board of Education. Alicemarie is a long-time member of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association and is a past president. During her more than 50 years of community involvement, Alicemarie has served as President and is a Life Member of the West End Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and National Honorary Member of the Lynbrook Council of PTAs. She is also a founding member of the Lynbrook Adult Education Committee and a long-time Director of the Nathan Hale Senior Village. Alicemarie has taught religious education at Our Lady of Peace and has been a Den Mother and Girl Scout volunteer when her children participated in scouts. Honors that she’s has received include a Masters in Boardman ship; a distinguished award from the Lynbrook Council of PTAs; an award for Academic Excellence and College Service from SUNY Old Westbury; the Silver Bullet Award from the Nassau/Suffolk School Boards Association; Woman and Citizen of the Year by the Village of Lynbrook and many others.

Catherine Quinn

Catherine “Kitty” Quinn and her husband of 44 years, Jack, chose East Rockaway as their home. The one-square-mile, close-knit village beckoned them all those years ago and they still love living there to this day. Aside from Quinn’s lifelong interest in government service starting with student council at Lynbrook North Junior High School and continuing to today’s involvement in the village, town, and county affairs, she was a daily participant in her children’s school associations throughout the years. This involvement also led her to like-minded friendships that remain intact today. While working for East Rockaway Village Building Department, Quinn attended classes for her New York State Building Code certifications. That background set the stage for her to join the newly formed Nassau County Legislature and eventually become chairwoman of the East Rockaway Board of Zoning Appeals. Most recently, she co-chaired her Lynbrook High School Class of ’66 reunion. As an offshoot to the event, a scholarship fund is being created. Quinn’s first love is family; she and Jack have two daughters, sons-in-law, and five granddaughters.

Dr. Patricia Sympson

Sympson began to make a difference in her community by achieving an extensive education. She earned her BA in History and English before completing her Master’s in Political Science and later her Ph.D. in International Law. With her extensive educational background, Patricia began teaching English and Social Studies at Island Trees Memorial Junior High School 33 years ago. She has also been chairman of the Social Studies Department for 29 years and Assistant Principal for 5 years. With an established record of molding young minds, she began to extend her reach outside of the classroom. Patricia has been Trustee of the Village of East Rockaway for 4 years, influenced recognition of the Haviland-Davison Grist Mill as the crown jewel of East Rockaway and its placement on the National Register of Historic Places, and helped create the newly formed Historical Society of East Rockaway & Lynbrook, where she is now president. Patricia has also authored an Arcadia book, “East Rockaway,” which was edited by her husband of 54 years, Bob. Patricia and Bob have one daughter, Veronica Sympson Krendel. She also serves in many capacities as a member of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Nassau.