Resting in the arms of Our Lord and the Heavenly Host with my Mom, Dr. Jeanne Pizzo, who passed on May 02, 2015. I just know they're playing Canasta in Heaven!

Laraine Michael was one of those extraordinary people; she shall always live in my heart and that of my Mom, Dr. Jeanne Pizzo. (She can't write her own comment because about seven days ago, she suffered from a fairly serious stroke, which I why I have not e-mailed her oldest son and my childhood buddy, Howie (Howard). She and my Mom were both young mothers of multiple kids when they, along with a third very special Mom, Blanche Bergman, were neighbors in the same building at Carlton Gardens Apartments in Kew Garden Hills. When Laraine was around, my Mom and Blanche didn't have to worry about their kids; we respected and obeyed her as we did our own Moms (and we were normal kids, too). Her oldest, Howie, was close in age to me and hs two brothers, Bruce and Nathan, are younger. Laraine was one of those very special people that God's grace allows us to meet and befriend. Although Lorraine's and my family moved to different parts of Long Island when Howie and I were about 11 or 12, we did visit every so often — and my Mom kept in touch by phone (no e-mail for those Wonder Women!) with her good friend, Laraine, for decades.I believe they were in touch during the last few years as well.

Laraine Micheals was one of those very good and very rare people God puts in our lives in order to enrich them. When I think back, I realize that Laraine's love, compassion, caring and her great and good heart shone from within, as if it were a single and powerful pure white light in the gathering darkness.

If my Mom could write at present, she definitely would tell you that she loves you, she misses your friendship and that you now are reunited with Lou and Shirley (and others) in Heaven, a place where there is no pain, only happiness. I am sorry I didn't get the opportune it to tell Loraine how much I cared, but I'm sure my Mom did a good job. I know Laraine was as justfiably proud of Howie's  business success as my Mom was of my Ivy League PhD in English — the Doctoral Teaching Fellowship that paid for it — and, the honors bestowed upon me by my peers and supervisors for excellence in teaching/research.

I'll miss you, Laraine; I really will. WE will miss you and your shining spirt. I will close with a quote from Shakepeare's "Hamlet" (Act V, Sc ii): "Good-night, Sweet Princess; And flights of angels sing the to thy rest.

RIP...And may Perpetual Light shine upon thee!

Joseph Pizzo, PhD, MS Ed
Jeanne Pizzo, PhD
***********************************
Anthony T. Pizzo, Sr.
Anthony T. Pizzo, Jr., MD
Anne F. Pizzo, Esq.

Always in my heart, never to be forgotten.......to know anyone as good as you were, is very rare.....you will be very sorely missed......
Rest In Peace, my Guardian Angel.

OBITUARY

Laraine Michaels

May 13, 1933 – January 17, 2015

Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel

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