Lynda Bluestein died last month.
But the legacy of the longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member — who successfully sued Vermont to end her life under that state’s medical aid in dying law — lives on.
Steven Petrow — an award-winning journalist and book author who writes often about health and aging — used Lynda’s experience as the centerpiece of an essay in yesterday’s Washington Post.
Titled “A Cancer Patient Had Decided How to Die. Here’s What I Learned From Her” connects Lynda’s decision with Petrow’s own sister’s experience — also from ovarian cancer — in New Jersey, one of 10 states that allow medical aid in dying. Connecticut is one of the 40 that do not.
There is another local connection: Petrow’s brother Jay is an artist and landscape designer who lives in Westport.
Click here for the full Washington Post essay.
Lynda Bluestein (Photo courtesy of News12 Connecticut)
==================================================
Jacquelyn “Jackie” Fuchs — a longtime resident of Westport, who served for many years as secretary of the Representative Town Meetin — died Saturday.
She is survived by her husband Roy; daughter Leslie Sloane (Bryan Sloane); son David; grandchildren Marc, Bennett and Dean Sloane, and Bitzalel, Meyah Adam and Sehara Fuchs; brother Jeffrey Smith (Iris), niece Lindsay Blanco (Maurice) and nephew Zachary Smith (Erika).
Her funeral will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, February 20, 9:30 a.m., Temple Israel), on what would have been her 76th birthday. Click here for the livestream.
There will be a shiva reception immediately following the service. An additional shiva will be held tomorrow evening in New York City.
Jackie Fuchs
==================================================
A reader writes:
“One of the reasons I moved to Old Hill was the ability to walk downtown. That was severely hampered (Sunday) when my daughter and I went to the Westport Playhouse for their matinee show.
“While this lot on the Post Road between Cross and Lincoln Streets is under construction, the development company should be responsible for ensuring the sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice.
“They failed to do so, and the sidewalk is now very uneven and treacherous. There is no other sidewalk on the other side of the street. The only alternative is walking in the street, which is extremely dangerous.”
Snow on Post Road West sidewalk.
==================================================
Broadway singer Jodi Keogan sold out the Senior Center yesterday — as she always does — for her concert and pizza party.
Well, it was free. But the place would have packed even if the audience had to pay.
The event — sponsored by the Friends of the Senior Center — Concert and Pizza Party — included pianist David Harris.
They entertained the large crowd with great music, from light opera to Broadway and the classics.
Jodi Keogan and David Harris (Photos/Lauri Weiser)
==================================================
Westport author Jacqueline Berman has just published “A Bite of the Big Apple: The Ultimate NYC Birthday Adventure.”
The children’s book celebrates the diverse cultures, flavors, traditions and neighborhoods of New York City, through the eyes (and mouth) of a young girl.
“She forms unexpected friendships, discovering that the true magic lies not just in the tantalizing tastes she samples, but in the heartwarming connections she forges.”
Click here for more information, including how to buy it.
================================================
For those Westporters still here — not on the schools’ winter break, in other words — yesterday was a gorgeous, admire-the-winter-scenery Sunday.
This Saugatuck River view, from Steve and Rosemary Halsteads’ living room, is perfect for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Steve Halstead)
==================================================
And finally … Happy Presidents Day!
(You can celebrate Presidents Day by buying a mattress. Or you can click here to support “06880.” If you choose the latter: thank you!)
RIP Jackie 🙏
You were a fabulous RTM secretary and a beautiful lady‼️
I am so saddened by the loss of Jackie Fuchs. She was a wonderful person and a joy to be around. As secretary of the RTM, she kept the “minutes” that were really hours of often long, hard meetings with a smile. She also taught Bridge at Continuing Education with a love for the game. My condolences to her family and my fellow colleagues. We will miss her.
Oh, this is very sad news. Jackie was a pleasure to know and to work with. We met as mothers of schoolchildren and re-connected when she was the RTM’s absolutely wonderful and lovely secretary. Her son David and our daughter were schoolmates for years. Adam and I send our condolences to Roy, David, and all of Jackie’s family. She was a “woman of valor”; because of her the world was a sweeter and is a better place. May her memory be a blessing, and may time and warm memories bring comfort to Jackie’s family and to all who loved her.
Jackie was wonderful to work with as a member of the rtm as everyone has said Roy who use to be Board of finance and his there hard work for rotary Jackie you will be missed from all of us thanks for your service to Westport sorry I can’t be there tomorrow from sal liccione rtm member of district 9
Condolences to Roy & Family.
I enjoyed working with Jackie in her role as Secretary on the RTM and Bedford Middle School Committee.
Jackie was on top of her game and always found time for a little humor & smile. God Speed.
Jackie was a regular at our Westport bridge club, a joy to have at the table, a very good bridge player, and generous with her knowledge of the game. The bridge community has lost a champ. Here’s to making slams at that bridge game in the sky, Jackie. RIP.
Very sad news about Jackie. I first met her when she worked at Temple Israel. Then of course as the RTM’s secretary. Beautiful spirit, she will truly be missed.
Sending love and prayers to Roy and the Fuchs family. One of the beautiful parts of being on the RTM is meeting, and getting to know new colleagues as people.
Jackie has always been the one constant of our RTM family, always to right of the Moderator, and always keeping the minutes. Know those minutes at 3 plus hour RTM meeting, never short!
Jackie inspired us all, as she battled through health challenges. She will missed by us all, but never forgotten.
Over the years Jackie has helped me through NUMEROUS situations as a young mom of 3 boys at Temple Israel pre-school and Hebrew school. All done with a smile, with her signature calm demeanor, a lighthearted joke and care. I will always remember and appreciate that. May she rest in peace. Jackie will be missed greatly.
(apologies, this was meant to me a general comment, not a reply here)
I feel so blessed to have met Jackie through Temple Israel and then the RTM. She was always smiling and always full of positivity, even as she endured her own health challenges. Jackie made Westport a better place and will be sorely missed!
Jackie has been such a bright light in town, smiling though hours-long meetings and keeping a positive outlook and face as she coped with serious medical issues. We are all the poorer for her loss. My condolences to her family, and may her memory be for a blessing.
My heartfelt condolences to Roy, Leslie, David and their families. Jackie was such a lovely person, always smiling, open, smart, and fun to be with. May her memory forever be a blessing.
Jackie…I wish I could’ve spoken to you one more time. I was so confident you would survive and win. But, you did win. You lived a fulfilled life with such positive outlook and love. Passionate about your town, but keeping a strict organizational outlook with great fact and knowledge of procedure.
I always felt so bad when I would speak and Jackie would ask, “can you please send me what you wrote?” But everything I would always say was never written down, and off the cuff.
Late night emails going back and forth reading minutes and helping her type what or others said.
Would like to see name plate, and other little items, in a shadow box, outside town hall auditorium. Her impact is for life.
The RTM was so blessed to have Jackie’s steady hand as our Secretary for so long. She has been a great friend, guide, and keeper of history. We shall all miss her and her counsel. So sad to have her gone, but so enriched to have known her.
Very saddened to learn that Jackie was battling a horrendous illness and has now been taken from her loving family, friends, and our community. Knowing her was a privilege as she always brightened the conversation. Losing special people like Jackie is simply awful.
My heartfelt condolences to Roy, Leslie, David and all of her loved ones.
Dr J