Heartfelt Gratitude

For A Community Of Friends

To the Editor:

Having a family member stricken with cancer, especially a child, many would find the years that follow emotionally devastating. However, it was through this time we experienced overwhelming support through the generosity and endless caring of our friends and neighbors. After almost 2½ years, Christina has finished treatment. We, as a family, would like to thank all those who helped us get through this very difficult time.

For over a year, Wednesdays to us meant long treatment days in Hartford. However, knowing that it would always end with a delicious home cooked meal from one of our caring friends gave us something to look forward to. Thank you Patti Nicholas and Jennifer Kennedy for initiating and organizing the dinners. And of course, thanks to all the families who cooked the scrumptious dinners that filled our stomachs and warmed our hearts: The Nicholas, Kennedy, Fulmer, Renna, Morrissey, Dolzall, Ruot, O’Connor, Dorso, Oliver, Cain, DeVellis, O’Handley, Salbu, Baier, Martinelli, Quinn, Metzger, Iassogna, and Grasso families.

We want to thank all of Christina’s teachers, especially Mrs Strait and Mrs Kirch, for their compassion and understanding, for keeping open the lines of communication with Christina and her classmates, and for working hard with her tutors to make sure Christina was kept current with her schoolwork. Thank you Phil Cruz, Susan Rudduck, and Ann Marie Canigilio for not only being her tutors, but also being her friend. Thank you Mrs Beck and Mr Hedin who gave up their personal time to help Christina. A special thank you to Scott Nichols and Kristene Salbu for being both scholastic and good will couriers.

Thank you Tom Faeth, Brad Greene, Bob Fiscella, Greg Iwaniki, and all Christina’s teammates for giving her the opportunity to be a member of your teams even when she could not physically be there. Thank you Debbie O’Handley and Susan Corleto for lending us your pool while you were on vacation to help fill those long summer days when we could not be in public places.

A special thank you to the entire St Rose congregation and the other congregations that included Christina and us in their prayers. We could never have gotten through this difficult ordeal without the healing power of your prayers. Thank you Nora Kelley and Joan Salbo for bringing the Eucharist to Christina when she could not attend mass. Thank you Diane Malloy for not only keeping her current with her religious studies but also the herb garden you planted together.

Thank you Susan Corleto, Marybeth Campbell, and Pat Marlin for all the comforting phone calls and the errands you ran for us when we could not. Thank you everyone who participated in the pancake breakfast fundraiser. Even though we might not know each and everyone of you, we are deeply touched by your kindness and generosity.

We are all grateful for having been blessed with such loving friends and neighbors.

With heartfelt gratitude,

John, Colette, Christina and Jackie Ercole

21 Ridge Road, Newtown                                            March 12, 2003