The Lighten Family sadly lost their matriarch, Janifer Lynn Lighten, on Friday, February 10th, 2012. Mrs. Lighten, who was 50 years old, succumbed unexpectedly to cancer. She departed peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends in her New Rochelle home.

Mrs. Lighten, a former Wall Street banker, turned full-time wife to her husband William Lighten and mother of four to Adrienne, Alexis, Christopher and Michael. She focused her formidable talents on serving her alma mater, Yale University, as well as local organizations in the non-profit sector in her beloved community of New Rochelle, New York.

Arlene… was always a help to her family, a
competent person; an “old and sweet soul”if you will.
She, along with Durwood Hall in my reflection
were the first and real youth leaders
on Lawton Street in New Rochelle back-in-the-day
representing [our side] of city hall.

Beanie… was the “big sister” for her siblings and anyone else that
came near. She had a heart of gold
and a voice in music that could make
you fall in love at any age, especially if she
caught you in her smile.

There was no acclaim for Beanie alone in music,
as she was a force in a group of singing sisters:
Rosalyn Major,Deborah Henderson and Lance Rogers.

Today we celebrate
your loving and your life and friendships.

We celebrate your core competencies,
care-taking, courtesies, and give
Voice to our love for you
as a natural leader,
big sister,
friend and
example in our youth
to the benefit of
“good old”
and priceless native,
New Rochelle.

December 23, 2011

God comforts people with gifts.

Like the metaphors in Isaiah

with the “The Rose of Sharon”: Kingdom glory;

beauty on hills, splendor; support for

miracle reversals from weakness to strength and blindness to sight;

the ability to recognize joy, good people, happiness and growth.

You are a gift and you are my people as far back as

I have memory in New Rochelle. As far back as Rev. Cructhfield

crying in the midst of sermon and the Sweet Hours

Of Prayers at Shiloh sang right through -- the blue and speckled stained glass.

I recall your dad belting-out, punctuated hymns that stirred the

sisters and the brothers too and also made your momma proud.

I remember you as J.V.’s sister and then “our’s too” in kind.

Each laughing moment with you took the relationship to new bonds and you always

December 23, 2011

You know that our family and particularly a Flowers

Set the Points on the Compass of Hearts and Courage

in the neighborhood, in Pop Warner football; working for the city;

across the streets of New Rochelle; coming out of church;

and of course showing up with City Pride on the NRHS bleachers.

One of you was always there and each of you had your own way and “effect”.

I think of the, un-flinching love for all of us and remember Psalms 139:7-10 in the human condition. “Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.”

But you Ernie, had those eyes and fewer words.

Members of the Salesian High School community are reeling this morning from the death of a student last night.

Andy Feliz, a senior at Salesian High School, was found by his mother last night when she returned to the family home in Yonkers. The cause of death has not been officially determined but Feliz is believed to have died from natural causes. The school learned of the unexpected death by the boy's mother.

Salesian Seniors were informed of the death of their classmate at a special mass held at the school chapel.

Feliz was known as a devout Catholic. He was the organizer of an upcoming spiritual retreat for students next week.

Feliz's passing is the second tragic death of a Salesian student in two years. In 2009, Nicholas Nespolini, then a junior at Salesian, died in his sleep at his home in the Bronx.

Salesian High School an academic high school for boys founded by the Salesians of St. John Bosco.

Wake: Salesian Chapel Friday November 18th 6 PM - 9 PM

NOTE: There will also be a wake from 9 AM to 3 PM in New York at the R.G. Ortiz Funeral Home

Funeral: Holy Name Church Saturday November 19th 10 AM.

Jeanne Torigian Neville, 58, who founded the Butterflies from Jodie Charitable Fund has died. Torigian had been battling Leukemia over the past year.

According to Butterflies from Jodie website, Butterflies from Jodie, a symbol of life, love and eternity, was established in November 2000 following an untimely death of Jodie Torigian at age 21. Undergoing a sudden cardiac arrest, this charitable fund was set up with the hopes to turn a tragic loss into a vital and giving organization. With the unrelenting support we have received over the last 10 years, we have been able to help keep Jodie's amazing spirit alive through our defibrillator distribution program and cash gifts, known as butterflies.

A WVOX and WVIP Commentar by William O’Shaughnessy (broadcast June 27, 2011)

It was right there in the Journal News daily newspaper and on Bob Marrone’s lips that Peter Mustich of New Rochelle, N.Y. had died. The key phrase being “of New Rochelle.”

That said it all about the man. All other details of his life and passing are meaningless and irrelevant. For this Mustich was a townie and any achievements, accomplishments and milestones of his 88 years must yield to his relationship with his home heath.

Peter Mustich was “of New Rochelle” in every season of his long life. But the venue of his days is not to be confused with the New Rochelle of E.L. Doctorow, Cynthia Ozick, Teresa Brewer, Ossie Davis, Robert Merrill, Page Morton Black, Frances Sternhagen, John Kluge, Mariano Rivera, Dick Van Dyke or Ken Chenault, boss of American Express. We’re not talking here about Overlook Road or Premium Point either. Or about the Joyces or the Powers family.