Noelle Anastasia, 32, Died; Staples Grad, Loving Mother
Noelle Anastasia of Fairfield, formerly of Westport, passed away unexpectedly on November 16, 2022 at the age of 32, but her kind heart and bright smile will not be forgotten.
Noelle was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1989. She was the youngest daughter of Michelle and David Anastasia. She grew up in Westport and attended Westport schools. Despite the growing pains that accompany the life of a student, Noelle loved to learn, a passion that she carried into her adult life.
Noelle had many loves. As a girl at Bedford Middle School, she loved to sing in the choir. Years later as a woman, she confessed that she still loved to sing in the shower. For many years, Noelle served as an alter server for Assumption Church in Westport. Throughout her life, Noelle kept her faith close to her heart. Determined to pursue her enthusiasm for learning, she attended classes at Norwalk Community College and had planned to return to school. She loved to cook and had learned to master the talents of many professionals. It was a wonder to watch her casually prepare a meal with all the skills of a master chef.
Noelle had a kind soul and a deeply loving heart. More than anything, she loved her daughters Isabella, 5, and Ella, 3. They were the lights and loves of her life. She loved her stepson, Jesus, and was proud of all he accomplished. Her family was the cornerstone of her life, but Noelle also cared for those who needed it. She gave freely of herself, of her time and energy, to help when help was needed. This generosity of spirit did not extend only to people, but to animals as well. Noelle was known to take in more than one kitten in need of a home and add them to her family.
Preceding Noelle in death was her uncle, Robert Thompson.
Noelle is survived by her parents, David and Michelle, her husband Jesus, her sisters Denise and Nicole, her brother Steven, her nieces Michayla, Dianna, Marissa, Danniella, and Brianna, her nephews Matthew, Tyler, and Jace, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who are all heartbroken at the loss.
Noelle will be missed the same way she loved. Deeply.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday November 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM meeting directly at Assumption Church 98 Riverside Ave. Westport CT for a Mass of Christian Burial. Condolences for Noelle's family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com
Mimi Dimeling Girard, 84, Died; Former Westport Teacher
Madeline (Mimi) Dimeling Girard, age 84, recently of Long Island, NY, passed away on 9/13/2022.
Mimi was born on 6/21/1938, a day she insisted meant that summer could start. This is probably how her fervent interest in plants started.
Mimi met Lucien Girard III at Penn State University where they both earned Master's degrees. They were married on September 1st, 1962 in Westport, CT where Mimi was employed as a teacher. They then started a world tour, with destinations including Morocco, Ghana, and quite a few states in the US, with longer stints in Evergreen, CO and Royal Oak, MD.
Hugs and Kisses was the first, a small puppy that Mimi tried to keep quiet while grocery shopping. There are many other tales of dog exploits including one slapstick encounter Bradshaw had with a trailing dishwasher rack hooked in his dog collar.
The chapter on Ghana, has far too many excellent stories to tell, and includes her teaching, supporting local organizations and families, designing functional kitchens that were adopted in future builds, and pushing the local wicker man with her latest grand designs.
In Royal Oak, Mimi and Lu settled down to a different type of travel - Galapagos, cross Atlantic sailing, along with the occasional kayak during the DFR with the hoards that invaded. Mimi continued to be a terror on the tennis court along with organizing the Christmas parade in St. Michaels.
Throughout these stories weaves a tangle of different plants including an oleander the dog ate (both survived), working with botanists in Ghana to find the latest catch of a rare bloom, and helping revive wayward orchids in MD.
Mimi is survived by her brother George, her two sisters Dee and Carol; two sons, Peter and his wife, Michele, of CO, and Matthew and his wife, Andrea, of NY; and five wonderful grandchildren.
Services will be held at Crown Crest Cemetery in Clearfield, PA on November 19th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Easton Garden club or to your local Red Cross.
David Zenreich, 36, Died; Staples Wrestler “whose warmth, charisma, and generosity were limitless.”
David Zenreich died tragically in an accident on September 8, 2022. He was 36. David was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, whose warmth, charisma, and generosity were limitless.
David grew up in Westport, Connecticut and was known by those close to him for his humor, creativity, brilliant writing, and storytelling. From a young age, David was a voracious reader and a master of words, which was the foundation upon which he built a successful career in digital marketing. An entrepreneur at his core, David launched his first business while still an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2008, he graduated from the Olin Business School, which helped springboard what would become a portfolio of businesses he developed and launched over the next 15 years. David became a leader in his field, and was frequently invited to speak at industry conferences, sought after by other marketing professionals for consultation, and asked to mentor younger, aspiring entrepreneurs and friends.
While cut far too short, David lived a rich and substantial life. He was an avid and accomplished high school wrestler at Staples High School, which is where he first fostered a deep interest in bodybuilding and combat sports that he would carry on throughout his life. David was also a passionate traveler who visited dozens of countries and spent time living across parts of Asia, Europe, and South America. Although he lived in Miami towards the end of his life, New York City was always David's home-which was fitting, given his love for comedy, art, and fashion.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fraternity brothers. David is survived by his parents, Michael Zenreich and Carole Roller; his sister, Sara Weiss; his brother-in-law, Eric Weiss; and his niece and nephew, Hannah and Jesse Weiss.
Published by Legacy Remembers from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, 2022.
Dr. Murray Simon, 85, Died; US Navy Lieutenant, Westport Dentist
Dr. Murray Simon, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 29, 2022. He was born on May 15, 1937 in Malden, MA, son of the late George and Anne Goldstein Simon.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Linda Simon; children, Julie Tracey (Mick), David Udell Simon (Cathi) and Daniel Aaron Simon (Evelyn); grandchildren Alix Thairuammit (Alexander), Claire Simon, Jake Tracey, Max Tracey and Sara Tracey.
Murray had many "faces". Most important was husband to Linda, father to his children and "playmate" to his grandchildren. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, a dentist in Westport, Ct., and president of D/R/S Healthcare Consultants and on the Board of Temple Solel. He served as president of The Charlotte Gem & Mineral Club and was a volunteer at Atrium Healthcare - Pineville. Murray and Linda shared hobbies and interests in travel, magic and making fine art jewelry.
Memorial and graveside services for family and close friends was held at the Hebrew Cemetery Chapel 1801 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Assoc. or to your favorite charity.
Published by Legacy Remembers from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6, 2022.