Somers residents named to Senior Hall of Fame

SOMERS, N.Y. - Four of Somers' own are among Westchester County’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Susan Cody, Patti Colombo, Glenn Hintze, and Denis J. Timone – and 57 other seniors from across 33 municipalities -- were honored for their achievements and contributions to their communities at a ceremony on Dec. 5 in Tarrytown.

Cody

Susan Cody was nominated by the Friends of the Somers Library’s board of directors, where she’s been an active member for more than 30 years.

Thirty years ago, she initiated – and still organizes -- the FoSL’s many cultural programs, including free concerts and theatrical performances “targeted to adults, particularly the large senior population of our town,” the FOSL said.

“Without her knowledge and contacts, we could not offer the quality and variety of programs we do,” it said.

Along with Irene Chege, Cody co-founded -- and still sits on the board of  -- Race Amity of Northern Westchester Putnam, a group through which she continues to strive “to foster greater connections between all people, all races, ages, and abilities,” according to her nominators.

A member of the Baháʼí Faith – which stresses the unity of all people and rejects notions o racism, sexism, and nationalism --  Cody is a liaison to the Interfaith Council of Yorktown/Somers.

She is a former driver for At Home in Somers.

Cody still gives piano and voice lessons and volunteers as the music director of New Era Creative Space, a youth arts education center based in Peekskill, where she enjoys helping children grow and develop self-confidence through theater.

She and her husband, Tom, have four children and nine grandchildren.

Colombo

Lincolndale resident Patti Colombo, 65, was nominated for her work with Volunteer New York!’s Readiness through Integrated Service Engagement (RISE) program.

RISE connects adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to nonprofits in the community where they can build skills while volunteering.

Colombo, now its manager and a graduate of Leadership Westchester, brought with her more than 30 years of experience as a recreational therapist for adults with developmental disabilities.

According to Wendy Armstrong of Family Services of Westchester, the person who nominated Colombo, prior to her arrival, opportunities available to the I/DD population were limited to the direct service providers who supported them.

Launched in 2016, RISE connects clients to nonprofits in their communities where they can learn skills that sometimes lead to employment. But more importantly, it boosts their sense of purpose and of belonging to something important.

They are willing to take on tasks that others might not want, such as stuffing envelopes and sorting supplies. The nonprofits, in turn, reap the benefits of their hard work, devotion to the cause, and their good company.

The native Iowan’s care and concern extends to the senior community “If someone needs something, she notices immediately and quickly finds a way to make the situation better,” whether that’s bringing mail and newspapers to people in the hospital or starting a meal train, Armstrong said.

While honored by being named to the Senior Hall of Fame, she thought it was nicer that the impact of programs such as RISE was being recognized.

Folks with disabilities often feel “invisible,” Colombo said, adding that through volunteerism they get to “shine.”

“People get to know them. They get to contribute to the community. It’s a win-win,” she said.

Colombo and her husband, Michael, raised two sons – Nick and Scott – in Somers.

Hintze

Glenn Hintze has been a member of the nonprofit Somers Education Foundation for 22 years.

The SEF supports schools by raising funds for student and teacher projects that aren’t funded by the district’s budget.

Hintze was SEF president for nine years and vice president for five.

He was instrumental in the creation of community fundraisers such as chili cookoffs, “cupcake wars,” and golf outings. Under his leadership, more than $1 million was raised.

Hintze co-founded -- and sits on the board of -- the school district’s booster club for performing arts.

He has been a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd for 29 years, 18 of which have been spent as its Sunday school director.

Hintze also shepherds its twice-a-month Saturday luncheon for seniors.

He has been a member of the Lions Club for 11 years.

When not volunteering, Hintze worked in journalism and the public relations field.

He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters.

Timone

Timone, who recently retired as Somers town justice after 40 years on the bench, has been involved in a variety of volunteer and community services efforts.

He has been a member of the Lions Club for more than 40 years, was involved with the Somers Leos for a decade plus, has worked with the nonprofit group, El Centro Hispano, for 50 years, and was part of the American Youth Soccer Organization (Somers Region 95), as a soccer coach, for 10 years.

As a Lion, he was instrumental in events such as Relay for Life, which raised funds for cancer research and advocacy.

Timone has volunteered with the Somers Historical Society for decades and is a longtime member of the Audubon Society.

The attorney has provided pro-bono legal work for senior citizens throughout Westchester and pays social visits to housebound seniors in Somers.

A decorated U.S. Army veteran, Timone and his wife, Meg, have three children and five grandchildren.

Building Communities

County Executive Ken Jenkins said he was “deeply honored” to recognize the Class of 2025 and praised the Hall of Fame as “one of the county’s most meaningful traditions” because it gave Westchester the “opportunity to express our gratitude to the seniors whose leadership, service, and dedication have strengthened our communities.

Mae Carpenter, commissioner of the Department of Senior Programs and Services, echoed that sentiment. “This is what building communities is all about!” she said, thanking honorees for “their incredible contributions to improving the lives of others.”

Good to Know

Hosts of the annual ceremony are the county’s DSPS, its Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation, and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.

Sponsors of this year’s event are New York-Presbyterian, Wartburg, and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.

For more information, visit www.westchesterpartnership.org/hall-of-fame/ or contact Angelique Morelli at AngeliqueM@EventsRemember.com or (914) 218-3968.