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POSTPONED: Rally at 400 McGuinness
Rami Metal of Councilman Steve Levin’s office writes:
Hi Heather. I don’t know whether or not you were aware of this but Hope Reichbach, our communications director, died yesterday. We are unbelievably shaken and saddened by her sudden passing and are putting all our energy right now into working through this difficult time and helping her family in any way we can. The funeral is being held on Sunday at noon. Needless to say we feel that we need to cancel the planned rally against the homeless shelter and we were hoping that you could help get the word out. We do not yet have a new date for the rally but will work to figure something out in the next week or so and will definitely let you know.
If anyone is interested in attending the funeral the services will take place at Congregation Mount Sinai, 250 Cadman Plaza West, at noon on Sunday
The Reichbach family will sit shiva Sunday following the service, Monday and Tuesday all day at 148 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.
Donations in Hope’s name can be made to: Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., 413 Baltic Street, Suite 1A, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Below is a joint statement from last night from Steve and the Speaker:
Joint Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Stephen Levin
This evening we learned of the tragic death of one of the Council’s family. A bright young woman who was at the start of a career in public service is gone too soon. Hope was a wonderful, vivacious, and tough young woman. A beautiful soul who cared deeply about her community and her family. We are deeply saddened by her passing and will miss her more than words can ever describe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and her friends, and everyone affected by this loss. We also respectfully request that the media respect the family’s privacy at this most difficult time.
Thanks.
I suspect I speak on the behalf of everyone reading this when I write that my heartfelt condolences to Miss Reichbach’s family, friends and loved ones. She will be missed.
Miss Heather
Comments
4 Comments on POSTPONED: Rally at 400 McGuinness
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eagle_teater on
Fri, 29th Apr 2011 3:41 pm
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missheather on
Fri, 29th Apr 2011 4:45 pm
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eagle_teater on
Sat, 30th Apr 2011 10:31 am
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missheather on
Sat, 30th Apr 2011 10:36 am
!!!!!!! I just talked to her Monday. I’m speechless. I’m so sorry to hear this. Good God.
I cannot say I ever met Miss Reichbach— and sadly I never will. However, having been in the situation her colleagues, loved ones, and family are undoubtedly in now losing a friend suddenly due to an overdose of prescription medication (in my case Bob Guskind) who is a “public figure” I will say this. I am glad to see the media, et. al. seem to be exercising a great deal of restraint. They are not making wild speculations, sensationalizing her death (so as to milk it for page views), etc.
That was not the case with my friend Bob. Certain individuals/news outlets had a field day. When I complained they said it was in the interest of “journalism”. I am not so sure about that. But I can attest to this: once you have received that phone call (as I have) and find yourself both grieving a good friend reading such material it hurts.
As I see it, liking or hating the deceased (or who/what she represents) is not important. What is important is that people understand that this person was loved and will be missed for a very long time. By the living.
In this respect I think I have some idea of what Hope’s friends and family are going through right now despite having never known her. Not only do I empathize with them but I respect their grief. Waking up the next day to know someone very close to you is gone is bad enough. Getting phone calls, emails, etc. alerting you to this story or that only makes it worse. I sincerely hope her family and loved ones get the peace I and Bob’s widow didn’t receive. As far as I’m concerned this is a matter of basic human decency.
Speaking of basic human decency, or lack thereof, you might not want to read the comments on gothamist about this.
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