In regard to the recent post concerning the death of Nikolay Kuzmina’s mom, I wanted to express my deep thanks to the editor of the Marblehead Current, Leigh Blander, and also to one particular Marblehead resident, Heather DeJesus Bush! When Nikolay’s sister called me the day after the accident, she asked if I’d call two families with this dreaded news. As she and I were talking, she also asked me to call an old classmate. But I was not to tell anyone else as she wanted the news not to travel around town. I tried to reach the classmate but instead Heather answered my call. Since she worked at one of the businesses that Nikolay and I visited asking for donations for our “Shop Local” basket, she asked how he was. I started to cry and told her as Nikolay and Heather had bonded initially when he said he had worked at Johnnie’s Foodmaster when he was just 14. She said she wanted to drive over and give him a hug. When I said the sister didn’t want anyone to know, she said the town loves him and she’d be doing Nikolay a disservice by not allowing everyone to express their love for him and help him during this horrific situation.
With that I again reached out to Olga and said what Heather thought and would she be willing to talk to Leigh and have her write a heartwarming story that portrayed Nikolay as how we all see him. And so the article came out and the outpouring of love, kindness and generosity toward not only Nikolay but his entire family was incredible. She never experienced such love from all of us.. So thank you, Heather, and thank you, Leigh, for supporting Nikolay during these dark days!
I attended the private service this morning, which was just family, a few close friends and two MHS teachers. I was so proud of Nikolay. He stood in front of us and said, “My mom taught me to be proud, my mom taught me to be strong, my mom taught me to be kind, my mom taught me love.” He turned to the casket and said, “Mom, thank you and I love you!” These were the words of the most inspirational man I have known. Good job, mom. Rest in peace.
Sandi Cooper
Sevinor Road
