To all individuals in the Fredonia Middle School, and those working in the Fredonia Central School District, please accept this sentiment of love and appreciation for all that you have recently done for my mother, MaryJo (Fadale) Matekovich in her time of greatest need.
In my over 20-plus years of human services work, I have never seen such enormous generosity, appreciation, love, admiration and sincere unselfishness as I have these past two months from these individuals!
The staff of this school district are the epitome of "family" and have done more for my mother and family, than anyone could have ever expected or imagined.
Each and every individual and group who gave something, a kind word, a card, a call, a donation, flowers, hugs, stories, or tears have earned a very special place in our hearts.
I heard nothing but love, compassion, and fondness from every single person who spoke with me this past weekend. Your stories about experiences with our mother were greatly appreciated.
No matter what you called her, Mary, MaryJo, MJ, or Momma MJ, I want to say, "Thank you" for letting her share in your lives! We can never say thank you enough or in the right way but know that you have touched us deeply, like nothing I could have imagined.
I also want to recognize and thank several others: Brooks Memorial Intensive Care Unit nurses and doctors, Hamot Medical Center TCU staff, Hospice of Chautauqua County, Carriage House, Beverly Leikam and Jim Fadale and the owners of 41 West, Dave Culver of the Brown Bean, McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, St Anthony's Church, the Brown and Siskar families, and absolutely everyone who came to visit, dropped off food, called, attended the services or get together, visited mom in the hospital, and donated anything including stories and other things. You are all loved and appreciated!
Please know that as much as we will miss her, we can take comfort in knowing she is now watching over us all!
Please accept these most sincere sentiments of gratitude as a familial one.
Denise Benton is the daughter of MaryJo Matekovich and a Gloversville resident.
