A non-profit grief and healing organization dedicated to helping parents and families living with the loss of a child
COPE Newsletter February 2018
The Next Level of Healing is Helping







In this Newsletter
Words from Lilly
Healing Tip
Calendar of Events
Parent Column
Labyrinth
COPE Highlights
December Passings
December Birthdays
General Donations


QUICK LINKS
Words from Lilly
COPE President and Founder
 
D ear COPE Families,

The last time I was in Arizona was 1991, three months before my daughter, Michelle, passed on Jan 25 in 1992. She had been attending the University of Arizona and met me at the airport. I have resisted returning since.

Synchronicity prompted my return. I received a wedding invitation from a favorite cousin whose daughter was getting married on Jan 20th in Scottsdale, AZ. I felt a need to go the distance for this cousin who was really there for me after the loss of my daughter and husband. He had a close relationship with both of them and had some powerful signs from my daughter after her passing.

I set an intention to make peace with the land that Michelle loved—the mountains, the air, the sky and the sunsets. I made plans to see healers to help me make peace with the land that took my daughter.

All my plans could not have prepared me for the flood of memories that engulfed me as I landed. I realized in that moment that I not only came to make peace with the land, I needed to make peace with me.

Wishing you greater peace on your journeys.

Lilly
COPE President and Founder
 
To share your thoughts about this posting, please click here   to visit our website and enter your comment under the LEAVE A REPLY section.
HEALING TIP
Nurturing Your Body
By our new Clinical Director, Michelle Graff    

We know that the grief process can put a tremendous strain on us emotionally, but what about physically? Studies show that when we are grieving, our bodies produce stress hormones that can cause aches and pains, digestive, appetite and sleeping issues, headaches and make us more vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections. In the midst of grief, we often forget that our physical health is just as important as learning how to cope with feelings associated with loss.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY
Monday
Mid-IslandY JCC, 7:00pm

COPE at Cedarmere 7:00pm


Wednesday
Chai Center in Dix Hills, 7:00pm

COPE at Cedarmere 1:00pm


Friday
DASHA Flagship, The Galleria in NYC
6:15pm

United Methodist Church in Ronkonkoma
7pm
Tuesday
Mid-IslandY JCC, 7:00pm (change from Monday night to Tuesday night this month)

COPE at Cedarmere 1:00pm


Thursday
For established parents at Jericho Public Library, 7:00pm

For established parents at Syosset Public
Library, 7:00pm
PARENT COLUMN
A Mother Left Behind
By Kalia Loper

Click Here for info on book

After my daughter, Nayyira, lost her life in November 2012 due to an automobile accident, I was crushed. Although I was surrounded by family and friends who encouraged me and made sincere efforts to comfort me, I simply felt inconsolable.

I started to write exactly how I was feeling in a blog dedicated to my daughter and I found a sense of comfort in it. The freedom to express my feelings without judgment is what helped my heart to heal.
LABYRINTH
COPE is now accepting memorial brick and bench orders for the COPE Summer Labyrinth Dedication.

COPE Foundation has a permanent memorial labyrinth in Eisenhower Park's Memorial Plaza, with bricks and benches dedicated to our children, siblings, and loved ones. Consider honoring your loved one with an engraved brick or bench in this special location. 
 
Memorial bricks are $200 each and Memorial benches are $3500 each.

To find out more information and purchase a brick or bench, please print  this form, complete and send back to COPE.

For photos and additional information please visit our Website
COPE HIGHLIGHTS - Save these Dates!
SAVE THE DATE
CAMP ERIN NYC BOWLING EVENT
 
Date: Monday, April 16th
Time: 7pm-9:30pm
Location: Frames Bowling Alley, NYC 
 
Come enjoy food, family and friends while having fun supporting our brave children. We are growing and serving more children thanks to you. We had 62 campers last summer!
SAVE THE DATE
COPE Foundation Golf Outing

Date: Monday, May 21
Location: Muttontown Club in East Norwich,
5933 Northern Boulevard, East Norwich, NY

To Celebrate Our Honorees
Jill Martin
Cope Honoree
Today Show Contributor
Knicks Broadcaster
 
Sandra R. Wolkoff, PhD., LCSW-R
COPE Parent & Professional Service Award

Shaun Sharp
COPE Sibling Recognition Award
COPE'S NEW LOCATION
COPE at Cedarmere,
225 Bryant Ave, Roslyn NY 11576

This historic building has been completely renovated inside and sits on beautifully maintained grounds with scenic views of Hempstead Harbor.

In the month of February, we remember the following loved ones
who were taken from us before their time.
February Passings
1            Troy Gable (2011, Passing) son of Regina Gable
              Karen Lynster (2017, Passing) mother of Rhiannon Lynster
              Kendra Bowers (2014, Passing) sister of Kayla Bowers
              Barry Drebin (2015, Passing) son of Shlomo & Rivkah Drebin
2            Shaun P. Tolan (2011, Passing) son of John & Janis Tolan,
               brother of Sherry Carpenito
              Woody Zalman (2016, Passing) son of Debra Berley
3            Danny Elias (2015, Passing) son of Barbara Masoni
              Kieran McCaffrey (2008, Passing) son of John & Tara McCaffrey
              Randie Delmont (2008, Passing) daughter of Shelley & Joel Switko
4            Michael Jarosz (2012, Passing) son of Angela & John Jarosz
5            Karissa Volpe (2011, Passing) daughter of Karen Volpe
              Robert Carpinelli (2012, Passing) son of Linda Carpinelli
6            Larry Gnolfo (2011, Passing) son of Coral & Jim Gnolfo
              Johnny Lazar (2011, Passing) grandson of Adrian Lazar
              Serjio Torres (2004, Passing) bother of Jean Torres
7            Joseph Pratt (2014, Passing) son of Susan Pratt
              Matthew Bell, Jr. (2013, Passing) son of Matthew Bell
8            Ryan Shaw (2016, Passing) son of Janice Shaw
              Joseph Philip Hoehn (2016, Passing) son of Philip Hoehn, NY
              Tara Celli (2009, Passing) daughter of Geraldine Celli
10          Kevin Lynch (2012, Passing) son of Barbara Lynch
              Miranda Marciano (1994, Passing) daughter of Jeff Marciano
              Seena Liff (2012, Passing) daughter of Eleanor Liff
11          Ehlin Puett-Sandberg (2009, Passing) daughter of Marla Puett-Sandberg
              Joshua Levi (2013, Passing) son of Suzanne Levi
12          Jeanette Parker (2016, Passing) mother of Shaiane Beckford and Carmen Jean
              Austin Verville (2008, Passing) son of Christine & Matthew Verville            
13          Richard Barthel (2008, Passing) son of Paul & Judith Montelione
              Lawrence ("Jr.") Insinga (2016, Passing) son of Michelle Insinga
              Daniel MacDougall (2013, Passing) son of Nancy MacDougall
              Brendon Bittner (2015, Passing) brother of Jessica Markus
14          Valerie Bedziner (2012, Passing) daughter of Lisa Bedziner
15          Jason T. Micheline (2013, Passing) son of Stephanie Micheline
              Ben Keschl (2015, Passing) son of Liz Keschl
              Kevin Goldstein (2005, Passing) son of Jane & Paul Shaw
16          Evan Artz (2016, Passing) son of Beverly & Bill Artz
              Mark Matonti (2011, Passing) son of Diane Matonti
              Mark Paone (2015, Passing) son of Margaret Paone
18          Nicole Schiffman (2007, Passing) daughter of Cheryl & Ron Schiffman,
               sister of Lindsey Schiffman
              Carol Kestenbaum (2007, Passing) daughter of Rita & Ron Kestenbaum
              Maria Verdile (2007, Passing) daughter of Holly Verdile  
20          Audrey Garcia (2015, Passing) daughter of Barbara McGowan
              Tyler Heelan (2009, Passing) son of Leslie Heelan
              Ruth Piracci (2014, Passing) sister of Ronnie Piracci
              Earnest Montes, Jr. (1993, Passing) son of Lucy and Earnie Montes
21          Shauni Ashley Frank (2011, Passing) daughter of Christine Sparkman
22          Taylor Matthews (2008, Passing) daughter of Sue Matthews
              Maeve Grace Maguire (2013, Passing) mother of Jennifer Maguire
              David Dawson (2009, Passing) son of Fran Dawson
              Taylor Matthews (2008, Passing) sister of Ryan Matthews
              James Guerin (2014, Passing) husband of Rose Guerin
23          John C. Grega (2014, Passing) son of Marion Grega
24          Hope Wen (2017, Passing) brother of April Wen
25          Michael Monica (2016, Passing) son of Dale Monica
              David Tauber Wiener (2008, Passing) son of Phyllis Wiener
26          Isabel Alessi (2014, Passing) daughter of Alla Bas
              Joe Marino (2012, Passing) son of Diane Marino
27          Stefanie Rieger (2009, Passing) daughter of Andrea & Keith Rieger
28          Dan Gerstein (2014, Passing) brother of Rebecca Gerstein
              Eric Licursi (2010, Passing) son of Donna Licursi, brother of Lorraine Licursi
              Daniel Milch (2000, Passing) son of Linda Milch

February Birthdays
1            Brian Kaminsky (1977, Birthday) son of Shelley & Stu Kaminsky
              Brad Stoll (Birthday) son of Lucy & Howard Stoll
2            Steven Tassis (1966, Birthday) son of Lorraine Tassis
              Jordyn Fisher (1994, Birthday) daughter of Beth & Dick Fisher
3            Edward Ennis (1988, Birthday) son of Paula Nolan
              Delbert White (1962, Birthday) son of Howard & Annie White
              Kirsten Ramirez (1988, Birthday) daughter of Marilyn Rodan
5            Andrew Torres (1994, Birthday) son of Benjamin Torres
              Robert Moss (1987, Birthday) son of Bob & Krista Moss
              Danielle Cooper (1971, Birthday) daughter of Paul and Judith Montelione
6            Terry C. Long, Jr. (1982, Birthday) brother of Jen Gaynor
              Nicholas Maniscalco (1987, Birthday) son of Deborah Gibson
7            Michael Long (1975, Birthday) son of Ariella Long
              Kelly Georgens (1979, Birthday) sister of Allison Georgens Costello
              Alvaro Hernandez (1966, Birthday) brother of Cristina Hernandez
              Dawn Leslie (1990, Birthday) daughter of Karen & David Leslie
8            Howard Safir (1969, Birthday) son of Lucy Safir
9            Myrna Quesada (1971, Birthday) sister of Mario Quesada
              Corey Loeliger-Myers (1983, Birthday) brother of Kenny Loeliger-Myers
10          Brenton Kristoffer Smith (1991, Birthday) son of Stacie Snider
              Dean Galasso (1988, Birthday) son of Priscilla Galasso
11          Patrick Murphy (1981, Birthday) son of Karen Murphy
              Monique Iveliz Tartt (1995, Birthday) daughter of Cynthia & Everett Mojica
              Zachary Fishfein (1992, Birthday) son of Eileen Fishfein
12          Luis Schwartz (1977, Birthday) brother of Jen and Matthew Schwartz             
13          Danny Elias (1961, Birthday) son of Barbara Masoni
              Kevin Goldstein (1968, Birthday) son of Jane & Paul Shaw
              Timothy Grennan (1980, Birthday) son of Karen & Robert Grennan
              Jaimie Peters (1980, Birthday) son of Philip & Linda Okun
              Zayna Connolly (2012, Birthday) daughter of Sarah & Michael Connolly
14          Elizer Torres (1976, Birthday) brother of Jean Torres
              Jenna Baron (1995, Birthday) daughter of Jean Pagliughi           
15          Jeffrey Goldsmith (1982, Birthday) son of Nancy & Terry Goldsmith,
               son of Lorraine Albert, brother of Erica & Andrew Goldsmith               
              Jeremy Lee Graham (1985, Birthday) son of Jayne Graham
16          Wayne Lipinski (1964, Birthday) son of Sue Lipinski
17          Jeffrey Goldstein (1978, Birthday) son of Sharon Sultan Cutler
              Jennifer Taylor Bell (1994, Birthday) daughter of Jane & Jonathan Bell
18          Nicole Schiffman (1987, Birthday) daughter of Cheryl & Ron Schiffman,
              sister of Lindsey Schiffman
              Jonathan Cotromano (1983, Birthday) son of Suzanne Cotromano
              Carol Kestenbaum (1987, Birthday) daughter of Rita & Ron Kestenbaum
              Vicki Marczak (1977, Birthday) daughter of Judith & Ed Marczak
19          Bryan Eastwood (1989, Birthday) son of Joanne Eastwood
              Gina DiCanio (1978, Birthday) daughter of Jackie DiCanio
20          Brian Hom (1993, Birthday) son of Karen & Jim Hom
              Paul David Faria (1963, Birthday) son of Gloria Faria
              Blakely Kay (1979, Birthday) daughter of Barbara Russell
              Steven Belviso (1988, Birthday) son of Donna Belviso
21          Marsha Lazar (1957, Birthday) daughter of Adrian Lazar
              Michael Monica (1987, Birthday) son of Dale Monica
22          Joshua Shome (1978, Birthday) son of Larry & Paula Shome
23          Joseph Janssen (2008, Birthday) son of Mike Janssen
25          Yasu Fukuda (1956, Birthday) brother of Megumi Fukuda
26          Brittney Shulman (1992, Birthday) daughter of Susan Shulman
              Kerri Marie Jackowski (1988, Birthday) daughter of June & Keith Jackowski
27          Michelle Nourmand (1997, Birthday) daughter of Simin Nourmand,
               sister of Joseph Nourmand
              Peter Cannon (2004, Birthday) brother of Roman & Frank Cannon              
28          Morris Lindenbaum (Birthday) son of Sylvia Lindenbaum

GENERAL DONATIONS
We thank our generous supporters for making donations to COPE during the month of January: Please click here to view donations made in honor of loved ones (go to Donations January 2018.)
COPE Foundation
PO Box 1251
Melville, New York 11747
516-832-2673