Overwhelmed By Support

To the Editor:

I am sending my most heartfelt gratitude to all the people of Newtown who came to the aid of my family and offered their support during the most difficult time of my life.

 My wife, Brenda Schlesinger, passed away one day before her 49th birthday, after a long battle with cancer. My 10-year-old son, Michael, myself, and my mother-in-law, Bernice, tried to stay strong and make her last days as comfortable as possible.

During the time that Brenda was ill, and following her passing, we have received an outpouring of support from this wonderful town. My son’s baseball team, his wrestling team, our neighbors, and friends from all over Newtown, came to help in so many different ways. We had meals prepared like clockwork on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, our home was professionally cleaned, a scholarship fund was started for our son at the Newtown Savings Bank. Our neighbor and friend, Myra Leuci, had to put people on a waiting list for meals, that’s how many people wanted to help. With all of your support, I was able to attend to other matters with some peace of mind.

I had no idea how many people Brenda had touched. I’m proud to have been married to such an amazing woman, and am overwhelmed by the turnout and sincerity of all the people who attended her funeral services, or offered their condolences. Words cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel in my heart for everything everyone has done for our family. Thank you, we feel truly blessed to live in Newtown.

With all our love and blessings,

Joe, Michael, Kristal Schlesinger

and Bernice Stewart

19 Sawmill Ridge Road, Newtown                        December 9, 2008