Thank you so very much for supporting the petition to honor the memory of the late Laura Deckelman by requesting some sort of dedication at the Rockaway Ferry landing.  We’re not asking for the landing to be re-named, as it would involve city, state and federal approval, but to have a plaque or other visual tribute to the drive and dedication that both Laura and her late husband Paul envisioned for all people of the Rockaways and New York City, whether visitors or residents.

On a professional note, my travels on the ferry to Manhattan frequently had patients aboard who were receiving treatment for malignancies and other life-threatening illnesses at world-renowned hospitals in Manhattan.  One hospital is the Kimmel Pavilion of NYU Langone, diagonally across the street from the 34th street ferry landing.  Another facility, the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital is present at the same location.    There, pediatric specialists provide the most advanced inpatient and outpatient care for children who have rare and complex conditions, as well as more common childhood illnesses.  They also have a neonatal transport program for newborns who need Level 1 Neonatal Intensive Care Units as well as neonatal and pediatric surgical provisions with all subspecialties.  Even NYU has a ferry service for their employees from Brooklyn Army Terminal to the 34th Street Landing.

I am a nurse with 44 years experience.  It’s not just a travel experience for me on the ferry to work;  I see these patients very ill, with a glimmer of hope in their eyes toward getting well.  Wives clinging to their husbands; parents cuddling their suffering ones.  Traveling on the ferry provides a very calming experience in a world where so much sickness abounds.   Illness is blind to economic, social or ethnic status.  No bounds to religion, sexual orientation or political persuasion.  Nurses care for all from the heart.  The best hospitals in the world are located just a ferry trip away.  As with the 34th street landing, it’s right across the street.

Laura’s vision for a permanent ferry is far-reaching; even more than she could ever have imagined.    This is why I need YOUR help to make this dedication to her life possible.

Many folks are NOT on Facebook where I placed the petition initially.  I need this petition circulated throughout Instagram, via email, WhatsApp, etc.  I need each of you to dedicate yourself to re-posting this petition at least 5 times, whether via email to your friends, through the social media channels or however you stay in touch with others.  Please help me make this a reality.

To her lifelong Far Rockaway and Bayswater friends, she loved you all.  She photographed many simchas.  She loved big old houses.  She photographed your home damage after Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy for insurance purposes.  She cried when shooting many of them, whether feeling joy or sorrow.  Her passion was compassion on all levels.  Let us celebrate her memory accordingly.  Let us not forget her late husband Paul, her best friend in life, was always her cheerleader and co-hort in all things.  We miss him dearly as well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Elisa