4 Days Left to Vote for Patch's 'Superstar Mom of the Year!'

We asked our readers to send their amazing mom stories for Mother’s Day and received some special ones. Think your mom is the best? Send in your story to wendy.mitchell@patch.com. Then vote on which Connecticut mom you think is ‘Superstar Mom of the Year!’

Here’s how to vote:

If you’ve submitted an article:

Go to your town’s Facebook page to vote (instructions at end of this article). Voting runs now through Saturday May 9. If she gets the most Facebook likes, she’ll win Patch ‘Superstar Mom of the Year!

If you haven’t yet submitted an article:

There’s still time! Email answers to the questions below, along with a photo of your mom, to wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

1. Mother’s name and town.
   
2. Your name and relationship to the nominee.
   
3. Why does your mom rock?

All of our moms below are winners in our book. Which one do you think should win Connecticut ‘Superstar Mom of the Year?’ Here are the submissions, in alphabetical order by town. Click the green links to read more.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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 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.”

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.”

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 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: 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.”

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.”

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.”

Stonington Mother’s Day Superstar: Carole Johnson

“She is the most caring, supportive, selfless, hardworking mom in the world.”

Trumbull Mother’s Day Superstar: Paula Mastrorocco

“Our mother is the most strong, independent, hardworking woman you could ever meet.”

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.”

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.“

How to vote:

1. Find this article link on your town’s Facebook page
2. Type your mom’s name in the comment section below the article link on Facebook (ex: Vote for Mary Smith)
3. Get your friends to “like” your mom’s name/comment
4. The mom with the most likes/votes on Saturday, May 9 at 11:59 p.m. wins!

We’ll post Patch’s ‘Superstar Mom of the Year’ on our Connecticut Patch sites on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, 2015.