Beverlee Szimanski, one of Salisbury's most spirited, forceful, and well-known community advocates died last week, just one month after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was 69.

Szimanski, who was president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue (CASA), passed away at home on Saturday, Jan. 26, surrounded by her family. A Memorial Mass was held this week at Holy Family Catholic Church. Friends and family are remembering her as a strong community leader who was dedicated to improving the quality of life for all around her. She is also being remembered for her enthusiasm and generosity - of both time and spirit.

"She was a dear friend, not only to me, but to the community, that's for sure," said Norma Gonsalves, county legislator (13th district), recalling the impact that Szimanski had through her tireless volunteer work. "She touched many lives. She is going to be sorely missed. Beverlee had time for everyone and everything. She was a champion of many causes. She fought successfully for those causes."

As president of CASA for the past decade, Szimanski was a committed advocate for the safety of fellow residents. Ever-mindful of the community's concerns about safety issues regarding the nearby Nassau County Jail, and traffic on Salisbury Park Drive, she was particularly vigilant on those matters. A graduate of the Nassau County Civilian Police Academy, she worked closely with local police on safety issues.

"She was a good friend to the police department, and they to her," recalled Gonsalves, adding, "She made sure she kept the lines of communication open between the Third Precinct and the Salisbury community."

Szimanski was a watchdog for the community, spending countless hours at county legislature meetings, and keeping her neighbors updated on local issues. She also enthusiastically led her neighborhood's annual holiday tree-lighting ceremonies.

She was also an advocate for children, obtaining grants for anti-drug programs at Bowling Green and Meadowbrook elementary schools, and scholarships for local students.

Before her passing, Szimanski was informed that she would be the recipient of this year's Women Trailblazers in the New Millennium Award, bestowed annually by Nassau County to outstanding local women. According to Gonsalves, she will be presented with the award posthumously on March 18.

"She will be remembered as someone who was certainly dedicated and committed to her community," said Gonsalves. "She was a woman who knew how to get the job done, and got it done. She was a woman who was extremely generous to everyone, never looking for anything in return."

She added, "She touched a lot of lives - and mine included ... I don't know if anyone else has the capacity to do what she did."

"She worked very hard for her community for many years," said Vicki DeJong, a fellow Salisbury civic leader.

Originally from San Gabriel, CA, Beverlee Szimanski (nee Hussin), married John Peter Szimanski at the age of 18. The couple settled in the Salisbury section of Westbury, raising four children here - John Peter, Jr, Leanne, Jeanne, and Patricia. Beverlee was a 51-year resident of Salisbury.

Daughter Leanne Calabrese recalled her mother as an active, energetic person who could have also made an excellent businesswoman. "She had a knack for managing," said Leanne, adding that she will be remembered for "making an impact."

Shelley Lotenberg, a close friend of Beverlee and director of communications for the Nassau University Medical Center, also described her as hard-working on behalf of the community.

"She certainly was committed to improving the quality of life for all the residents in her community," said Lotenberg.

Szimanski was known for her diligence as a volunteer at the hospital, and eventually as director of volunteer operations. In her civic association work, Szimanski was also supportive of the hospital. She felt strongly that the community relied on its services, and therefore needed for it to survive.

Lotenberg met Szimanski about 10 years ago through civic association work. "I was president of the East Salisbury Civic Association. So a mutual friend of ours had told me that she wanted to become active in the community, and I said, "Oh great, that's just what we could use - more people who want to get involved," recalled Lotenberg.

"And from that time on, she started getting involved," said Lotenberg, describing the countless county and town meetings Szimanski would attend. "She served on the jail advisory committee with me. She started getting active on police committees. She was very active in the civilian patrol groups."

Lotenberg added that Szimanski will be remembered as, "definitely, very, very committed to her Community Association of Stewart Avenue, which was her civic association." She added, "And besides being a community leader, she was my friend ... She was a loyal friend."