Newtown Bee staffers who knew Newtown Tax Collector Donna Saputo were saddened to hear of her passing on April 4. While it is rare to see an official’s passing recognized in our “Ink Drops,” Saputo’s shedding of her mortal coil came with virtually no public notice. The news of her death was shared only among those who knew her and worked with her.

While to date there has been no obituary notice submitted to our newspaper, and we have seen no notification of a funeral or memorial service, Donna’s contributions to, and representation of, this community deserves recognition at the top of our front page this week.

Those who knew Donna would likely agree that she was a brave, strong, and dignified person who we also saw struggle, yet persevere, through physical tribulations. Through it all, however, she remained the sweet, compassionate professional we all knew. As a tax collector, her job was thankless, and she was subject to a fair share of misplaced anger from far too many disgruntled members of the community who had nobody else to disparage.

She did not deserve ridicule, but we believe she found both redemption and solace in the kind words of so many others who she helped through their own tribulations, albeit of a financial nature. She appeared to have the rare talent — or blessing, really — of being able to put herself in the shoes of everyone she encountered, from her loyal town co-workers to those whose financial challenges seemed overwhelming.

Perhaps that talent also served her in the occasional moments when she faced her most hostile “customers.” To Donna’s family and friends, we extend heartfelt condolences.

In closing, we share and echo the sentiment expressed by First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, who noted that, “Donna was the perfect example of a public servant. Donna had health struggles for most of the time we worked together but you would never know it from her attitude. She was always pleasant and willing to help the public and her coworkers. I’m sure there is occasional conflict serving in that role but she never let it change her demeanor in her 35 years of service to Newtown. She is missed by me and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. My sincere condolences to her husband, John, her entire family, and all her friends.”

Proud To ‘Bee’ A CEO

This week, The Newtown Bee is proud to have become Connecticut’s first media organization included in Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas’ Civically Engaged Organization (CEO) program.

The new initiative invites businesses and nonprofit organizations to commit to being civically engaged, either through active participation in the local community or by helping to broaden public and employee civic awareness. The program brings together two key areas of focus for Secretary Thomas: business and civic education.

Your local newspaper’s work promoting local businesses and nonprofits, as well as political campaigns, government discourse, election literacy, voting, civic involvement, volunteering for appointed boards and commissions, and countless other activities that help make Newtown the incredible community it is, we believe, makes us well qualified to be part of this important new program.

We hope all other qualified businesses and nonprofits in Newtown will reference the article about this program in today’s edition and consider joining The Newtown Bee in being a “CEO.”