Dear Erica, Giorgio, Andrew, and Mila,

It is with sadness, but not without joy that I am sharing the Saga of Linda Ferla Fineman and Denise Massin.

I first met Linda when she was my son Joshua’s First Grade Teacher. Josh was not only very young for the grade, but he was coming out of a private school. It was a definite culture shock for him. When I asked him if he liked his teacher, he said, “NO! She’s too bossy” (out of the mouths of babes, hahaha). She made him listen, focus, and produce his work in a timely manner. She also set up an “office” for him in the back of the classroom, facing the back, where he wouldn’t get so distracted. By the end of the school year, Josh loved Mrs. Fineman, as every one of her students did.

By this time, I had joined the faculty of School 3, and our true friendship began. Linda and I had adjoining classrooms with bathrooms in the middle. This was a perfect opportunity to bounce ideas off each other, borrow materials, but most importantly, change into new outfits I had brought to school. You see, Linda was my eyes and my mirror. I would try on new pieces of clothing and she would say, “Yay” or “nay”. I knew I could always trust her opinion. One day we were carrying on said shenanigans, when the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sugarman, came in to pay us a visit!!! We were laughing hysterically – because thank goodness Dr. Sugarman never caught on!!

Linda was also a very important part of my family’s life at home. She always was invited to our holiday meals, my dad and she became Facebook buddies, and she often attended concerts in NYC, performed by my son Benjamin. When my husband passed away 10 years ago on September 1, and Linda was already retired, she stepped right into my Kindergarten classroom and ” took over” for me for the entire week of the funeral and Shiva. She knew exactly what to do, how to set up my room for the new children, and was my rock for that week. The transition when I came back the following week was seamless.

Linda also graciously opened her Library to the faculty, so that Carol Tropea, another wonderful colleague, would not have to climb the stairs to eat in the designated Teacher’s room. The years we spent eating lunch in the “Library Café” as Linda named it, were so meaningful and enjoyable to all of us. Oh, and did I mention that I used to dye Linda’s roots during lunchtime, every 3-4 weeks???!!!!

Besides all this zaniness, Linda was a Master Teacher. She had a way of making each student feel special because she truly tuned in to him or her, and was able to make that important connection for successful teaching and learning. Linda could also teach any subject and grade successfully, which a lot of teachers might have difficulty doing.

Please know that I can go on and on, and please know how very special our Linda is.

Sending you all love, prayers, and strength during this difficult time.

Denise Massin