Dec. 4, 2013:  Bronxville’s Patricia Niles Dohrenwend will be inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at a luncheon to be held this Friday, December 6, in Tarrytown. 

How did Ms. Dohrenwend, known to almost everyone as Patty, earn this award? Public service, public service, and more public service. 

Bronxville residents are most familiar with Patty's role as Eastchester's town clerk for fifteen years. But that is only a part of Patty's service to this community. She went on to become the director of the Westchester County Archives & Records Center for eleven years, finally retiring in 2011. She was qualified for the position in part because of her creation of an award-winning records management program for the town. While in each of these positions, she served on the boards of numerous related professional organizations and committees.

The hall of fame awards were initiated in 1963 to recognize seniors who have made "significant and enduring contributions to Westchester's quality of life through their professional work, volunteer achievements or both." 

Patty's volunteer activities rival her professional work. She is a past president of The Junior League of Bronxville, a past vice president of the League of Women Voters of Bronxville, a member of the board of the Bronxville Historical Conservancy, a member of the community advisory board to the Senior Citizens Council-- Bronxville/Tuckahoe, and a past president of the Eastchester Rotary Club. She also served on the Westchester Library System board for ten years, including stints as treasurer, vice president, and president.

Patty has had a continuing interest in the welfare of women and children. She was a co-founder of and volunteer with the Yonkers Court Assistance Program for Abused Spouses. She has also been a member of and acting chairperson of the William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund Advisory Board, which advises the state in the administration of grants that fund community-based programs for the prevention of family violence.

Retirement has not slowed Patty down. She continues to serve on the New York State Historical Records Advisory Board. She has been elected to the Westchester County Historical Society Board, on which she continues to serve. Her biggest volunteer time commitment at the moment is her position on the Eastchester 350th Anniversary steering committee. One of her efforts there is chairing the sub-committee planning the One Book/One Community Reading Program.

Beyond her many activities, Patty is known for her engaging personality, amazing energy level, and unquenchable optimism. She and her husband, Bob, have three grown children and three grandchildren. In addition to family activities, Patty is enjoying duplicate bridge and a book group.

The awards luncheon will be held at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown. To make a reservation or for more information, contact Annette Alve at 914-813-6414. 

The Senior Citizens Hall of Fame is co-sponsored by the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, and the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation.

Pictured here:  Patty Niles Dohrenwend, to be honored at the Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. 

Photo courtesy Annette Alve, Westchester County Office of Aging