Who is Patch's 'Superstar Mom of the Year?'

We asked our readers to send their amazing mom stories for Mother’s Day and received some very special ones-- moms who are cancer survivors, widows, caretakers for aging parents/spouses, single parents and many more. All of these amazing moms are winners in our book.

Our Connecticut Patch readers voted this week and a Sandy Hook mom received the most votes and has been named our Patch ‘Superstar Mom of the Year.”

Erica Canfield, 37, a lifelong Newtown resident, juggles a part-time job at the local hardware store, volunteers as Secretary for her 11-year-old son’s go kart racing league in Berlin, Conn. and also cooks and cares for two children, her husband and a German Shepherd named “Dozer.”

Erica’s daughter Sam, 20, is a senior at Southern Connecticut State University and her son Kenneth is in 6th grade at Reed Intermediate School in Newtown. Click here to read Erica’s story.

After learning she won the contest Erica told Patch, “I won the minute I saw the [first] article. For my kids to take the time to write something about me on a public forum meant so much to me. It tells me that I’ve definitely done something right in life. Contest or not, I feel like a winner being their mom.”

Her son Kenneth said, ”Whether my mom won the contest or not she’s still number one to us .”

Sam said of her mom, “She has sacrificed many things in her life so that I could have an amazing childhood. There isn’t one day where she doesn’t put our needs before hers. Not only is she our mom, but she’s our best friend.”

Here are all of the submissions, in alphabetical order by town. Click the green links to read more.

Bethel

• Bethel Mother’s Day Superstar: Mary Menti- “My mom worked at Rockwell School as an aid until she finally retired at 82! She still works at the polling place downtown at 91 years old. She also makes killer apple pie and still trims the hedges.”

Bethany

• Bethany Mother’s Day Superstar: Rhonda Cerritelli - “My mom is awesome because she always puts our needs ahead of hers. ”

Clinton

• Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Alice Lee - “My dad passed in 2011 and ever since she has taken the role of provider. She works doubles as a waitress everyday to make ends meet. She also gives back to the community every chance she gets.”
• Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Madelyn Kostek - “My mom rocks because she is a good-looking, great-cooking, Harley-riding woman– my biggest supporter, my number one fan, and my best friend.”
• Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Rose Choronzy- “My mom is amazing because she is completely selfless and has been my support system and rock throughout my childhood into adulthood. Throughout the years she has been a best friend, chef, transportation system and a mentor for me and my siblings.”
• Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Sarah May- “She works hard to make sure my family has good food, enough money to fly to foreign countries over the summer, and she is always busy! She is also a great cook!”
• Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Eileen Smith- “My mom has devoted her entire life to bettering the lives of the people around her. Whether she’s baking a “Nanny’s bread” for a friend recovering from surgery, jumping through hoops for customers at her store, offering kind words to a friend in a time of need, or helping my siblings with their school work - she is always putting others before herself.”

Darien

• Darien Mother’s Day Superstar: Kimberly Karas - “She volunteers at Darien Fire Department and takes care of students as one of the nurses at the Darien High School. Every minute of her life she is taking care of someone else or doing something nice for someone else.“
• Darien Mother’s Day Superstar: Michele Tamburri Damberg - “Mom has tirelessly taken care of Grandma...outfitting her house for handicap access...while working long hours running a small, private daycare out of her home. After we found out Grandma had stage 4 cancer, Mom brought Grandma back home so she could die in the peace and comfort of her home, which was sadly on April 13.”

East Haven

• East Haven Mother’s Day Superstar: Lori Gigantino- “My mom has cerebral palsy and she doesn’t let that stop her from doing anything. She cooks, cleans, babysits two kids, she does it all!”

Fairfield

• Fairfield Mother’s Day Superstar: Pat Keane - “My mother spent our childhood volunteering at our schools, leading Girl Scout troops, organizing the altar server schedule at our church, working fundraising events, and attending countless meetings all while keeping our house spotless and feeding our family of five every night.”

Farmington

• Farmington Mother’s Day Superstar: Bette Jones - “With my mom, you start at 100 percent perfect and have to prove that wrong. You never have to start at zero and work your way up. All she has ever wanted for any of us is to be happy.”
• Farmington Mother’s Day Superstar: Jill Sheely - “Not only did she raise four daughters who have become strong, centered, successful women and mothers, she also has mentored numerous young minds as a teacher.”
• Farmington Mother’s Day Superstar: Erica Walker - “She drives [our kids] to a million sporting events, coaches them in sports, takes part in Girl Scouts and even helps encourage my daughter’s friends learn how to play soccer better.”

Guilford

• Guilford Mother’s Day Superstar: Robin Kalfaian -“She has provided us with opportunities to study abroad, explore other countries, attend our dream schools, and overall follow our dreams.”

Granby

• Granby Mother’s Day Spotlight: Beth Matlack- “Between the activities of [her kids], her subbing and knowing the kids from school, and all of her involvement at First Congregational Church, my mom knows personally or knows of a huge percentage of people in Granby.”

Haddam

• Haddam Mother’s Day Superstar: Audrey Roberts - “My mom raised 3 kids while also taking care of 2 ailing and bedridden parents until their death in the 1990’s. Since then she took over primary care of her brothers, who need a little extra assistance. As if that weren’t enough, she recently retired after over 35 years of exemplary service at the hospital, where she took care of “her guys” and made sure that everything was safe and secure.”
• Haddam Mother’s Day Superstar: Robin Spencer Klimaszewski- “Robin has been taking care of our mom for twenty five years, taking her to all her medical appointments, day and night care whether at home home, hospital or at a rehabilitation facility.”

Ledyard

• Ledyard Mother’s Day Superstar: Bonnie Days - “My older brother has Cerebral Palsy and she has been the best advocate for him throughout his 44 years. I have struggled with severe health issues since I was 18 years old, including a kidney transplant and a bilateral lung transplant. My mom has been there supporting me every step of the way.”
• Ledyard Mother’s Day Superstar: Michelle Hinton- “When I was very young, I lost my grandfather to cancer. I watched this take a toll on my mom, as my grandfather, “Pepe,” still had so much to do with his life. That’s when my mom realized that life really is “too short,” which has become her life motto.”

Middletown

• Middletown Mother’s Day Superstar: Marybeth Wishart - “She is selfless and generous, has volunteered going on church missions trips, working at the local soup kitchen, and she readily donates items to local organizations in Middletown.”
• Middletown Mother’s Day Superstar: Peggy Root - “She just recently overcome a huge obstacle in her life. My mom suffered with depression for two and a half years. I never saw an end to her depression and it really upset me to think I may never have my mom back to her old self. Then over the summer she was admitted to Uconn Hospital and while she was there they got her on the right medicine and has been much better since. She has made such tremendous progress and I’m so proud of her.”

Milford

• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Christine Paolucci - “After nearly dying during a terrible miscarriage years ago and developing fibromyalgia as a result... she holds a full time job as a client service representative...a part-time job as a health care worker, is working toward her college degree, manages her parent’s finances and household, and still finds time to spend with her own family.”
• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Gail Perrella - “I was born with Down Syndrome and that was a big surprise for my mom. She handled it with such enthusiasm and has been the rock of our family. ”
• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Kathleen Lattanzi - “She also was a caretaker for many people whom she didn’t know but that she eventually did get to know well by opening and working in a soup kitchen and homeless shelter for years. ”
• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Linda Vincelette - “My mom recently retired from Milford Hospital after 25 years in the pharmacy department so she can help care for my dad who is a disabled Vietnam Veteran. His health had been declining in recent years and she knew she needed to look after him at home.”
• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Valerie Urban - “She is loving and compassionate with her students. John F. Kennedy Elementary School also feels this way as she has received Para-educator of the year for her ability to be a positive figure in their lives and to help children grow.”
• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Patricia Fabian- “My mom raised us 6 kids working a full time and going back to school and getting a nursing degree when I was 9 years old. ”
• Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Darlene Tobin- “She has always put her daughters first. We had a very average childhood because my parents worked middle class jobs. Despite this, she always tried her hardest to give us girls everything we wanted to make us happy.”

Montville

• Montville Mother’s Day Superstar: Nancy Decelles - “My mom takes in kids that are having a rough time at their home and she treats them as if they were her own kids.”

Naugatuck

• Naugatuck Mother’s Day Superstar: Mary Forgues - “She keeps me and my brother playing sports, sponsors kids to play soccer, donates food, teaches me to cook, keeps us healthy. ”

Newtown

• Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Erica Canfield - “She gives us the greatest advice whenever we need it. And she has always been a phenomenal support system in all of our choices we’ve made. She has inspired us to do our best in school and achieve excellence.”
• Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Monica Crone - “Besides taking care of our 5 boys and our home, she is always quick to support friends in need, is a class mom at Trinity Day School, and is always quick to volunteer, whether for football, at Hawley, or just to help a neighbor.”
• Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Christine DeVellis - “As the mother of 4 boys and an educator for over 20 years, our mom is the captain of our team. ”
• Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Michelle Garrity - “She is always putting and thinking about her children’s and family needs before her own. ”
• Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Eileen Frattaroli- “My mom is the type of person who wants everybody to feel comfortable talking about anything with her, and she’s very good at it. She has a sense of humor that will make you belly laugh for hours.”
• Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Lisa LeBlanc - “As a single mother with three kids, it is truly amazing how our mother manages to balance everything so graciously with such a full and hefty plate.”

New Canaan

• New Canaan Mother’s Day Superstar: Stephanie Kushner- “From serving as the PTC president at south school to the PFA president at New Canaan High School, she is the glue that holds the New Canaan Public Schools together. Besides her strong ties to the community she has been deeply involved in National Charity League, New England Academy of Dance, and New Canaan Soccer Association.”
• New Canaan Mother’s Day Superstar: Kathy Bucci- “My mom has completed 4 of these IRONMAN death races, while somehow still managing to be a full-time mom.”

New London

• New London Mother’s Day Superstar: Linda Mariani- “What I admire most about my mom is her incredible ability to balance a career, tons of community activities, and a life rich with adventure.”

Portland

• Portland Mother’s Day Superstar: Stephanie Young- “As a single mother, she works multiple jobs and does the best she can do to give me a good life. She is one of the toughest people I know.”

Stonington

• Stonington Mother’s Day Superstar: Carole Johnson - “She is the most caring, supportive, selfless, hardworking mom in the world.”

Tolland

• Tolland Mother’s Day Superstar: Terri Scheidel - “After working 12 hours a day she’s cleaning, cooking, paying bills, taking care of the kids, the yard and everything else, it’s never ending exhaustion. ”

Trumbull

• Trumbull Mother’s Day Superstar: Paula Mastrorocco - “Our mother is the most strong, independent, hardworking woman you could ever meet.”

Wallingford

• Wallingford Mother’s Day Superstar: Maureen Reed- “She is the mother of four children, caretaker of two dogs, primary housekeeper and chef. She is an Assistant Principal, serves as an acting department head at a high school, part-time Doctorate student, a part time college professor, and a Eucharistic Minister on the weekends.”

Waterford

• Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Robin Deurloo - “She’s a very caring and generous person. She’s actively involved in the church and spends as much time as she can with my grandmother who is in a nursing home.”
• Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Kim Wilkinson - “She has the biggest heart and she is the strongest woman I know. She has been through a lot and has stayed sane through it all. ”
• Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Ayfer Kaya- ”She has sacrificed so much for me and my brothers. She left her home country of Turkey (and her family) in order to give us the best life possible.
• Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Heidi Mlyniec- “My mom rocks because she had faith that I would survive. Recently I went to the CCU at the hospital, went into cardiac arrest and the doctors didn’t think I would survive. My mom fought every second for my recovery.”
• Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Janet Alloway- “My mom always helps me when I need it, especially in 4th grade and 7th grade. I was one of the kids that had lots of trouble and did not work as well as the other kids. I always needed help during both of those grades, and she was more than willing to help.”
• Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Amanda Gates-Lamothe - ”The strongest moments came when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went in for surgery, was in the hospital on Christmas so we had to tell the twins that Santa would have to wait for Mommy to come home before we could open presents. I think our greatest Christmas present that year was having her come home. After the surgery, she also had to go through chemo and radiation treatments, while raising five kids alone. The strength and dedication that takes is unbelievable.”

West Hartford

• West Hartford Mother’s Day Superstar: Amy Jaffe - “In 1996 she co-founded Jonathan’s Dream, one of the nation’s first accessible playgrounds designed for children of all abilities. My mom works tirelessly to help others and ensure that everyone feel included— her family and beyond.“

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing moms out there!

Tell us why you think your mom rocks in the comments section below!

Photo: Erica, Kenny, Kenneth and Samantha Canfield, Newtown, Conn.