This story has been amended to correct the date of Mrs Wasserman's death.

Flags were lowered in Newtown on Tuesday, August 18, after it was learned that former state representative and longtime Newtown resident Julia Wasserman had died earlier that morning.

Newtown’s State Representative for 18 years until her retirement in 2008, Ms Wasserman also served on the Newtown Legislative Council, the Conservation/Wetlands Commission, the Sewer Avoidance Committee, the Fairfield County Soil and Water Conservation District, and as legislator, on the Fairfield Hills Oversight Committee. She was a member of the Newtown League of Women Voters for many years. Many were also familiar with Ms Wasserman, not only because of her long service as state representative and her town involvement, but as the owner of Medridge Farm Christmas Trees, started with her late husband, Louis Wasserman, at their Walnut Tree Hill Road property.

From local citizens to state officials, Ms Wasserman’s passing was noted in comments provided to The Newtown Bee.

Among the comments left on the Newtown Bee Facebook page announcing Ms Wasserman’s passing, was one from resident Daniel Rosenthal: “Julia set a wonderful example of service to our community. She will be missed.”

Mr Rosenthal’s father, Herb Rosenthal, a former Newtown First Selectman, worked closely with Ms Wasserman during the transference of the property at Fairfield Hills to the Town.

Others at the page remembered Ms Wasserman as “great,” “kind,” and “special.”

“I am sad to learn today of the death of Julia Wasserman,” said Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra. “Julia was truly an extraordinary woman of accomplishments in her personal life, as well as in her public roles. Her public service extended over decades of time, from the Newtown Conservation Commission to the Legislative Council to the State Legislature, then to the Parole Board. Most notably, Julia’s persistence and diligence as a state representative guided the Town in the purchase of the Fairfield Hills Campus. She was our voice at the Legislative level, exhibiting a tenacity of purpose that became her trademark. On the personal level, Julia was a woman of great passions and varied interests. Her travel to Uganda at age 80 to track highland gorillas, and a subsequent mentoring and ‘adoption’ of a Ugandan guide, are other more personal trademarks — courage, caring for others, and generosity,” Mrs Llodra said.

“The world lost a giant of a woman today,” said former Newtown State Representative, Chris Lyddy.  “A tenacious fighter for our community, Julia Wasserman served Newtown with both audacity and poise. She was unapologetic. Her confidence roared. And her love for our town was unwavering.

“I remember many moments with Julia, but one in particular stands out. Shortly after I was elected to the state legislature, she invited me over to her home, where we sat in her barn and sold Christmas trees to the community. We had a long talk that at times turned into her lecturing me about this-or-that. I think I learned more in those few hours than I had in my four years as a State Representative. She was brutally honest about my limitations, but equally as supportive and nurturing in helping me to understand the complexities of the work.

“Julia was a giant of a woman. A tough one. One that made our community, state, and country a better place,” said Mr Lyddy.

Former Governor of Connecticut, M. Jodi Rell was saddened, describing Ms Wasserman as more of a friend and confidant, than a political colleague.

“Julia was always a no nonsense person who didn't suffer fools lightly. But she also laughed easily and had a sense of humor I really appreciated. She had a wit about her that you seldom saw, but when it came out, you'd look at her and think to yourself, where did that come from?” Ms Rell said.

The former governor also recalled how Ms Wasserman was regarded among her peers. “When she was serious about something, she would look at you and say, 'Just give me the facts. I’ll weigh the options, and I’ll tell you later how I feel and how I’m going to vote. Present your case and we'll go from there.’ It was no nonsense. When Julia gave you her word on something, you could count on it, whether it was a vote on a bill, or support for a candidate,” Ms Rell said.

“She didn't need glory; she didn’t need you to praise her — in fact she was embarrassed by praise. I don't ever remember her asking me for specific support,” said Ms Rell, and added, “But she was so influential, to so many people. And she was so proud of Newtown: she would always get in her plug or cheer for her town. Now she's gone, and I’m just sad.”

“I’m incredibly sad to learn of Ms. Wasserman’s passing, yet I find comfort knowing she lived an incredible life,” weighed in State Senator Tony Hwang of Connecticut’s 28th District. “From a child who escaped the Nazis in Germany and saw the worst of humanity, Julia Wasserman made her life mission to be the best of humanity. She demonstrated that through her 18 years of public service in the legislature, and her passionate dedication to community and faith, and in countless other ways. She was truly the embodiment of all that is good,” he said, “and she was one of the classiest people I’ve ever met. Ms Wasserman’s passing is a profound loss for the Newtown community and the entire State of Connecticut. My heart and prayers will remain with her immediate and extended family, as well as her many friends and former colleagues.”

US Senator Richard Blumenthal also offered condolences in a press release issued Wednesday, August 18. “Julia Wasserman was an original — an original thinker, and original doer, rejecting stereotypes and partisan straightjackets, and seeking effective solutions with energy and insight. She was tireless in her dedication to public service, with a uniquely warm, embracing presence. She led an extraordinary life of caring, friendship, and service to the community, state and country she loved.”

State Representative Arthur J. O’Neill, 69th District, first met Julia Wasserman in January 1991, when both were sworn in as members of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

“I quickly realized that she was an extraordinary person,” he said. “We regularly carpooled to Hartford for 18 years and gradually, over many conversations, I learned about her family background: her escape from Nazi Germany, her early career as a mathematician, her years at Juilliard, her military service in Korea, and her later research at prestigious universities in New York.

“Julia became one of my closest friends. As a friend, she was always sincere and loyal. As a colleague, she was always insightful. Although she regularly denied being a politician, she had a better grasp of the political situation around the world, across the country, in the state, and on the floor of the House of Representatives than most people I know.

“Julia was totally dedicated to her constituency and especially to her hometown of Newtown. During her 18 years in the Legislature, she constantly labored to preserve and protect the lands at Fairfield Hills Hospital to ensure that the town and citizens of Newtown benefited from those lands. The way she cared for her husband during his last years was inspiring. Her range of accomplishments was enormous,” said Rep O’Neill.  “Julia was truly a woman for all seasons. I will miss her,” he added.

Msgr Robert Weiss, pastor of St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, remembered Ms Wasserman as “a woman of incredible integrity and strong character. She was never afraid to stand up for the rights of other people. In terms of the Catholic Church, she was very supportive of much of our legislature and had a high regard for life.”

Ms Wasserman served on the board of the Pope John Paul II Center for Health Care in Danbury, said Msgr Weiss. “She was supportive of taking care of people’s needs. She was a person with a great heart and true respect for other people,” he said.

From Mae Schmidle, who preceded Ms Wasserman as a representative of Newtown in the General Assembly, came words of remembrance for a woman she counted more as a friend than a fellow politician. “We talked almost daily,” said Ms Schmidle. “She let me know what was going on in Hartford; I let her know what was going on in Newtown and the world. We ate lunch weekly… but forgot to eat the Mediterranean Diet!”

Described more than once as “extraordinary” by those who encountered her, Julia Wasserman, it is clear, left her mark on the Newtown and the world.

Additional comments may be added as The Newtown Bee receives them.