Class mother left special memories

Eleanore Yuchmow, Rocky Hill
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I learned of the death of Alessandra Mazzacuto. She was my class mother for five years when her youngest two children, Marianna and Jacopo, were in my classes at Riverside School.
   Alessandra was more than a class mother. She was an indispensable equal partner as we planned class trips, international festivities, overnight camping trips and other projects that enriched the lives of my students. Alessandra worked with passion, dedication and love as she assisted the students and me in planning and following through our trips and activities.
   Her creativity, culinary talent, embroidery skills and original ideas were gifts. She was especially generous with her time when students from foreign countries joined our classes. Her warm welcome and outreach made for immediate inclusion and participation even though the children spoke not a word of English.
   When we planned our Italian festival, Alessandra insisted it be authentic so she invited an Italian gentleman who spoke no English but was an outstanding accordion player. He entertained by playing several Italian folksongs and then taught us, a song in Italian. To top off this festivity, Alessandra delighted us with her outstanding culinary talent with authentic Italian dishes. There were no leftovers.
   Alessandra kept two secrets from me. One was when she asked each student to write his/her name on a quilt patch, which she then embroidered and assembled into a lap quilt. That gift to me became so endearing since my four grandchildren snuggled in it when it became their crib quilt. The second secret was when, once again she asked the students to sign a patch. This time the signed patches became a floor length apron, one more cherished gift.
   There are so many recollections and heartwarming memories I have, too numerous to mention, but I must conclude with the time her son handed me a hurried note requesting my permission to allow him to go home for just a few minutes so that he could feed a bird that fell out of its nest. I have kept and cherished that note forever.
   Alessandra, the children and I enjoyed a stimulating, learning and very happy world together those years. May her example remain in our hearts forever.
Eleanore Yuchmow
Rocky Hill 