There is truly only one person deserving of the New Haven Register's honor for "outstanding person" this year .... hands down! That person is Ann DeMatteo.
Her weekly columns were always the very first thing our family turned to each week. Week after week, month after month, Ann touched the lives of the entire community ... from the youngest child to the oldest senior citizen. She was everywhere, knew everyone, called our attention to everything! Mention her name and everyone has a story to tell about her. Whether she was making us aware of an upcoming fund-raiser for a worthy cause, or a story about a special needs person, an art event, a race, a talent show, an upcoming concert, etc., etc., etc. It was always Ann who tuned us in as she gave press coverage to whatever timely and noteworthy event that was taking place. We can think of no one else in the community that has impacted the lives of so many.
It is mind-boggling to think that she carried on so bravely in spite of the cancer that ravaged her and even shared her difficult journey with all of us ... teaching us about her struggle and showing us how she dealt with her illness. She sugar-coated nothing, no shrinking violet was she! Until the end, she continually thanked her readers, her friends, her family and especially her remarkable mother. Can you believe that she thanked US? There will never be another like her. Our family nominates Ann DeMatteo for this award.
Carol and Vincent Cangiano
Hamden