![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/%2812-11-12%29%20Marchione-HS-015RET.jpg?itok=GIYLAuAT)
Deborah A. Simonsmeier
May 9, 2017
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ISSUE:
- 2017 Women of Distinction
![](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/deborah_a_simonsmeier.jpg?itok=JsVpqrcS)
Deborah A. Simonsmeier lived her life with passion and determination. As a young woman, she graduated from Ichabod Crane High School in Valatie and went on to earn a nursing degree from the Columbia Memorial Hospital nursing program. Her selfless service for the rights and welfare of others became her passion.
Ms. Simonsmeier was a lifelong member of the Valatie Rescue Squad. Her father, Charles Pardee, founded the Valatie Rescue Squad and ran the organization from their home. As a teenager, Ms. Simonsmeier would answer emergency calls that came in to the home phone. Her tireless efforts and hard work earned Ms. Simonsmeier the title of Assistant Captain, and she was the first female officer. In addition, she also served as Chairwoman of the Board.
Ms. Simonsmeier served as the Senior EMS instructor at Columbia-Greene Community College. She also served as the Co-coordinator of the Columbia & Greene Co. Stress and Emotional Relief Team. She is remembered by many first responders for mentoring and helping them become who they are today in their careers.
Her accomplishments in EMS were recognized in 1989 when she received the first Annual Person of the Year Award from the Columbia County Emergency Medical Association. In 1990, Governor Mario Cuomo appointed her Columbia County’s representative to the Governor’s Task Force on Volunteerism. In 2014, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors honored her for her community service.
Through her work as a council member on the Kinderhook Town Board, Ms. Simonsmeier successfully advocated for programs and activities that support at-risk children, senior citizens, active military personnel, veterans and their families, members of law enforcement, and first responders. She was also Director of Constituent Services for Senator Kathleen Marchione in Columbia County.
Regardless of whether she was advocating for senior housing, working with at-risk students, or finding new ways to help our military service members, she did it with tenacity and poise. Ms. Simonsmeier will be long remembered as a true friend to all, dedicated to her family and her community, and for making the world a better place in which to live.
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