Tag Archives: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Roundup: Jackie O’s Piano, Backpacks, Boxing …

Frank Mastrone returned to the Levitt Pavilion last night, for another standout evening of Broadway, Frank Sinatra (and Tom Jones, Adele and Michael Bublé) tunes.

Frank Mastrone and Westport’s own Terry Eldh. (Photo/Dan Woog)

But there was another star on stage too: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ baby grand piano.

It was there, white and beautiful and sounding great, courtesy of Yury Feygin Amadeus Piano, the Levitt’s piano partner.

Jackie Kennedy’s piano, before the audience arrives.

“All my pianos are special,” he says. “But this is my personal one. It has been with me since my dad bought it for my first piano lesson.”

The piano debuted Thursday, for the Pete Muller & the Kindred Souls show. Mastrone and his friends — including Westport’s own Terry Eldh — put it to great use last night, before an appreciative (and very full) audience.

=======================================================

Children who live in the Domestic Violence Crisis Center safe houses need many things. Among them: school supplies.

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, July 19), and running through next Tuesday, you can donate:

  • New backpacks
  • Notebooks
  • Pens, pencils, highlighters an dcrayons
  • New lunch boxes
  • Graphing calculators.

They can be left in a collection bin in the Westport Police Department headquarters lobby (50 Jesup Road).

For more information on the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force, click here.

=======================================================

Three-time light heavyweight world champion Chad Dawson was in Westport yesterday. He was part of a fundraiser at Rich Dean’s Boxinf & Fitness.

Dean is raising money Westport Police Department’s Mike Ruttenber who will be running the NYC marathon for St. Jude’s. (Hat tip: Kevin Carroll)  ‘

Chad Dawson (right) instructs.

=======================================================

Carol Longmuir Meier died peacefully on Tuesday, with her son Douglas and his wife Valerie by her side. The former Westport resident was 80 years old.

Growing up in Westport, she became active with Girl Scouts. That led her to the Mariner Scouts, where she developed a love for sailing.

Her family was also active with the United Methodist Church of Westport, where she attended youth group meetings. It was there that she met Frederick Meier Jr.

They were grade school sweethearts, and were married for 33 years. Fred died in 1994, age 52. Carol loved him until the day she died.

After graduating from Staples High School, Carol entered Yale’s Grace New Haven School of Nursing.  Growing up she became active with the girl scouts that led her to the Mariner Scouts where she developed a deep love for sailing.  Her family was also active with the United Methodist Church of Westport where she attended the Methodist Youth Group Meetings.

Fred’s career with the American Diabetes Association included several moves. Carol to hold nursing licenses in several states.

She started out in general nursing, which led to pediatrics. She became  infectious disease coordinator for Holy Redeemer Hospital outside of Philadelphia.

She moved on to the Jewish Home for the Elderly in Fairfield, as head nurse and then director of nursing. In Virginia she joined a visiting nursing service. Her final nursing shifts in New Jersey began with her as a visiting nurse. At the age of 60 she went back to school to earn a degree as a certified diabetic educator.

In New Jersey she was active with the Whitehouse United Methodist Church, participating in bible study and book club.

She enjoyed hiking, bird watching, reading and trips to Nana’s beach.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They include Kelly Arciola, her husband Sam III and their sons Sam IV and Dominic;  Megan Meier and William Bodie, BBF and grand dog Yager; John Meier, his wife Lauren and their children Adrianna, Harper and Jack; Nana’s twins Lillian and Brieanna;  Sean O’Shea, Robert O’Shea and his son Michael. Carol is also survived by her brother Robert Longmuir and his children. The family thanks Sandy Hack, who was Carol’s caregiver and dear friend.

he family will receive friends tomorrow (Tuesday, July 19, 4 to 8 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral is set for Wednesday (July 20, 11 a.m., United Methodist Church of Westport). Interment will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association. Click here to leave online condolences.

Carol Meier

===================================================

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature features a couple of bunnies.

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago. Based on what everyone knows about bunnies, I wonder how many there are now.

(Photo/Carol Cederbaum)

=======================================================

And finally … in honor of yesterday’s appearance of a world champion here:

(“06880” is completely reader-supported. Please click here to help.)