A Dignified Farewell

To the Editor:

After almost four years of illness, my wife recently passed away, peacefully and in the company of her family and at home as she requested. A precious life has ended as well as the emotional and physical pain. The cause was COPD, emphysema in the last stage and a combination of several other illness although smoking was the culprit, the real villain and the true ultimate killer.

While still extremely sad and somehow lost and lonely, I wish to express my gratitude to all those that helped to alleviate her suffering, gave comfort and were able to even bring her some moments of joy and tranquility. I shall never forget those people that stay near and next to her 24/7 especially, Thelma and Cherlita, Home Health Aides from Pathways for Independent Living that provide my wife with all possible comfort and loving care preparing her meals, washing her, talking to her, gave the medications, controlled the level of intake oxygen and many other tasks too numerous to mention. They performed all those deeds with true and loving care. I am now a firm believer that humane and charitable acts is not a thing of the past but are still very much alive and well.

My faith in human kindness and which was severely damaged in the past, has been fully and plentifully restored. The 'Thank You' notes have already been mailed but a lot of very especial people deserve an additional hug full of loving gratitude and remembrance. I shall never forget their kindness and will be forever grateful and indebted to them. The Hospice's nurses, doctors, spiritual counselor, volunteers from both the Hospice network and the Church and above all, her beloved grandchildren Christian and Marissa who provided that extra loving care and made her long illness a little more bearable. I shall be forever grateful to Ms. Audrey Ryan, the supervising nurse of Hospice Care Network and the one in charge of directing my wife's medical care and comfort. She did a wonderful job, comparable to a Director of a magnificent symphony, a perfect professional. Our gratitude also include Mrs. Marilyn Kaufmann, director of the Hospice Nursing Department, the spiritual counselor Ms. Vimala Thomas, Ms Dana Lewis, the volunteer visitor, companion, a person blessed with goodness, kindness and a big and patient heart who gave solace and comfort to my wife when she really needed them . Her presence brought joy, peace and hope.

Mrs. Carol Countryman who brought the Sacraments to Pat every Sunday regardless of climate conditions bringing as well de Bulletin and latest news about the Church of St. Joseph and which Pat so much loved. Sister Virginia Maguire who came all the way to the Funeral Home to bring not only her personal condolences but that of the Church as well and delivered a moving and powerful eulogy.

Rev. Fr. Brian J. Ingram conducted the beautiful mass accompanied by a soprano with a truly angelical voice that reverberated throughout the highs of the Church bouncing back and forth from the exquisite crystal panels as a cascade of beautiful colors and sounds and delivering at the same time, an invisible surrounding of peace and tranquil harmony over those present. Mr. Thomas Glynn, the Director of Rockville Centre Funeral Home assisted and care in a truly magnificent manner , a true professional. Each and every request and detail was granted well and beyond the usual duties. All these people spread love and gave care with patience and perseverance.

They all donated their own self, made a gift of themselves, their time, their resources and qualities for the good of others. We shall never forget such kindness brought to us by people that we did not know before. Life is a mystery of love and so can be in death. Charitable acts and responsible activities are still very much alive. We still feel that emotional level. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Antonio Moreno

Change

Parking Rule

To the Editor:

The ugly 2 hour signs hammered into the front lawns of the homes south and west of the Garden City High School are all but obliterated by the parked cars.

A simple four hour rule for the entire Estate Section would solve the problem of the uncaring and the illiterate. The signs would be removed, enforcement would be easier and our streets would be returned to their suburban beauty.

Richard Rieger

Setting The

Record Straight

To the Editor:

On April 7, 2008, the Board of Trustees adopted the 2008/09 budget, which approved the transfer of $1,700,000 from the St Paul's reserve. Trustee Mauk voted for that budget. If he wanted to oppose the transfer, that was his opportunity to do so.

It seems simple to me. If you tax the residents for a purpose and that purpose no longer exists, you return the money to the residents. The Trustees have no right to hold that money until they decide to return it. Anyone who thinks otherwise is misguided.

Thomas M Lamberti

Congratulations

To the Editor:

Congratulations are due to GCHS Principal, Nanine Cuttitta and the HS-PTA Senior Class Parent Representatives for creating a wonderful, problem-free, PTA-sponsored Senior Dance and Parent Skit-Night on March 20th. The crazy/touching skits performed by over 160 parents for their graduating seniors were the highlight of the evening. Special thanks to Mary Ellen Terracciano and Nancy Leone who co-chaired the event along with their hard-working committee. This event proved to be an especially successful kickoff to the up-coming graduation activities for the senior class.

Marcia Kelly

PTA Director

Garden City High School