Board Member Nancy Knabbe with Board President Robert Gibson and District Superintendent James Baldwin.
Questar III BOCES Board Member Nancy Knabbe passed away on January 8.
District Superintendent James N. Baldwin called Knabbe an extraordinary individual who personified selfless commitment to public and community service.
“I am deeply saddened by Nancy’s passing. A few years back her family invited a group of us from Questar III to her 80th birthday party. The hall was packed with members of her family and scores of friends from her years of community activism. She was a cherished member of the Chatham community. We have lost a dear and loyal friend and supporter of our work. In spite of health challenges in recent years, Nancy persisted in her advocacy for children and she spurred us on with her courage, strength and ‘can-do’ spirit. I will miss her support and wise counsel,” he said.
Born and raised in Chatham, Knabbe was a tireless public servant and education advocate for more than three decades.
A BOCES board member since 1996, Knabbe was reelected by component school boards in April 2012 for a three-year term. She served on the organization’s strategic planning committee and participated in many of the workshops provided for local school board members.
In 2010, Knabbe received Questar III’s highest honor, the G. Lucius Cary Annual Service Leadership Award. The award, a tribute to former Board Member G. Lucius Cary, was presented in recognition of Knabbe’s outstanding leadership and contributions through volunteer service.
Questar III Board President Robert Gibson called Knabbe a model board member.
“Nancy not only brought her many years of experience to Questar III and Tech Valley, but I particularly appreciated her consistent focus and reminders that our decisions should always focus on doing what is best for our students. We were honored to have Nancy as a member of our Board,” Gibson said.
A well-respected leader and volunteer in Columbia County, Knabbe served 25 years on the Chatham CSD Board of Education, from 1975 to 2000. This included seven years as board president and three years as vice president. During her tenure, she chaired the district’s finance, transportation and education committees.
In June 2012, Chatham CSD honored Knabbe at its annual Mary E. Dardess Elementary School Arbor Day celebration. Surrounded by family and friends, fourth grade students performed a play about Knabbe’s life, from her time growing up in Chatham and attending school when there was only one building to her 25 years as a Chatham board member and most recently, her work as a BOCES board member.
She was also a founding member of the Tech Valley High School Operating Board, serving from its inception in 2006 to July 2010.
Prior to becoming a BOCES board member, Knabbe worked for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Columbia County Department of Social Services for 25 years as a resource consultant and case management supervisor.
She was also an active member of the Columbia County School Board Association for 25 years, including six years as president of the organization. She previously served on the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Rural School Committee, BOCES Ad Hoc Committee and the Distinguished Service Committee.
Knabbe also served on the Columbia County ARC Board of Directors and volunteered for the Columbia County United Way Board of Directors.
In lieu of flowers and at the family’s request donations can be made payable to the Nancy Knabbe Scholarship Fund and mailed to: Chatham Central School District, Attn:Lauren Phillips, 50 Woodbridge Ave., Chatham, NY 12037. This fund was set up on the occasion of her 80th birthday several years ago and is given to a deserving Chatham High School graduate.
Chatham Courier article: http://www.registerstar.com/chatham_courier/news/article_6529547c-5f62-11e2-92dd-0019bb2963f4.html
