Northport Everyday Hero: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Advocate Paula DiMeo-Stayne

(Paula DiMeo-Stayne pictured right)

Do you know someone making a difference in our community? Patch wants to tell that person’s story in a new series we’re calling “Everyday Heroes.” We are looking to share inspirational and uplifting stories of people who work to change others’ lives for the better.

Today’s nominee was sent in by Linda DelVecchio.

Name of Everyday Hero

• Paula DiMeo-Stayne

Relationship to the nominee

• Linda found Paula’s Facebook after she lost her niece.

Details of good work

• “In my opinion, she should be hero of the year. Woman of the Year for not only Northport, but for Long Island. Paula DiMeo-Stayne lost her daughter Laura to suicide over 4 years ago. She vowed not to let her daughters death be in vain. She turned a tragedy into a positive. She is constantly getting phone calls from all over the country. Asking for help, crisis situations. She attends wakes for strangers all over Long Island for people who lost loved ones to suicide. Just to show support. She has lived through a very abusive marriage, lost everything twice and reinvented herself. She is in sales, and while she doesn’t announce this, she takes 10 percent of her commissions and donates to different local charities every month. She has six surviving children, works full time and full time at suicide awareness and prevention. She runs a Facebook page Laura’s Voice and is an advocate for suicide awareness. She also is the founder of a bereavement group that meets in Bohemia once a month. It’s geared to the Long Island biker community. It’s called My Brother’s Keeper.”

Why do you feel this person is an Everyday Hero?

• “Why the spotlight hasn’t been put on her is beyond me. She is a humble, generous, loving person who is always giving. She also has a GoFundMe page that helps people who lost loved ones to suicide. If there is anyone that deserves to be hero of the week its her. The township of Huntington should recognize the tireless work she does. She has been there for me, my family and always makes time for others. I know her phone is always ringing off the hook due to suicide. She is an inspiration to all of us. There is so much more to write about her. She had a very tough life. Things happened to her you wouldn’t believe and she rose above it. If you’re not familiar with her, you should be.”

Do you know someone who is an “Everyday Hero?” Nominate them by following the instructions below.

Please answer the following questions:

1. Name of Everyday Hero
2. Your relationship to the nominee
3. Details of good work done or being done
4. Why do you feel this person is an Everyday Hero?

Email your answers, along with a photo, to paige.mcatee@patch.com and your Everyday Hero could be featured!

Images courtesy of Linda DelVecchio.

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