Simsbury GOP Honors Beloved Member For Decades Of Community Service

SIMSBURY, CT — The Simsbury Republican Town Committee has unanimously adopted a resolution honoring longtime member Cheri Cook for decades of community service as she continues her civic work while living with ALS.

The committee approved the resolution Thursday, Sept. 17, recognizing Cook, a retired attorney, for her work with the committee and numerous town and community organizations.

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Cook was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in April 2025 after experiencing unexplained symptoms for several years, according to the Simsbury Republican Town Committee.

Despite the disease's progression, Cook has remained active in town government.

The Town of Simsbury currently lists Cook as chair of the Simsbury Housing Authority and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. She also serves on the Aging and Disability Commission.

Cook's record of community involvement spans decades and includes service on the Simsbury Board of Selectmen and work involving affordable housing, older adults, people with disabilities, and other community issues.

Her community work has also included the PTO, Girl Scouts, social services, the food pantry and programs addressing drug addiction among young adults, according to the Simsbury Republican Town Committee.

Cook also spent decades serving on a Connecticut commission focused on the human rights of people with developmental disabilities and has advocated for people with disabilities as an attorney and as the parent of a child with Fragile X syndrome, according to the committee.

Town records similarly document the breadth of Cook's local service.

A nomination submitted for Simsbury's Hometown Hero program cited her work with the Housing Authority, DEI Council, Aging and Disability Commission, Simsbury Community for Care, National Fragile X Foundation, Housing Policy Advisory Committee and Republican Town Committee, among other organizations.

In adopting its resolution, the Simsbury Republican Town Committee described Cook as a valued colleague, role model, and friend whose influence would continue within the organization.

Cook has continued volunteering as her physical limitations have increased, according to the committee, which said the resolution was intended to recognize the lasting effect of her service on Simsbury and the people who have worked alongside her.