Mission Statement
The Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, Inc. (NEMGF) is dedicated to supporting suicide loss survivors who are left behind struggling to cope with the heartbreaking tragedy of suicide. It is the Foundation’s goal to create memorial Gardens of Remembrance so that survivors may have a place of solace to remember their loved ones who have ended their life by suicide. These gardens will be a place of reflection to keep the memory of their loved ones alive. It is the Foundation’s goal to increase suicide awareness and break the silence by reducing the stigma associated with suicide.
Board Leadership
Roy Ettere
Founder and CEO
Lucille Ettere
Co-Founder and Vice Chairman
Len Suskin
President
Retired Commercial Realtor
Lucia Pons-Beltsky
1st Vice President
CEO Lower West Side Household Services Corp.
Michael Piazza
2nd Vice President
Retired Commissioner of Mental Health
Putnam County
John Rock
Treasurer
Retired Clinical Psychologist
Hillary Sheperd
Secretary
Co-Owner Servpro of Scarsdale/Mount Vernon
Brenda Soldano
Advisory Board Member
Recovery Coach MHA of Putnam County
Nicole’s Story
Nicole Ettere was born January 14, 1980. She was the second of four children and shared her life with three wonderful brothers. She had a heart of gold, always caring for her family and friends who were so important to her.
From a young age, she helped those who were struggling with their emotions or their personal life situations. She always extended a comforting hand and warm heart, trying to help in any way she could to take away the pain her friends were experiencing. Those who caused her pain and sorrow were forgiven by her. She saw the good in people and always tried to help them. As an adult, she worked in the medical field and enjoyed interacting with and taking care of her patients. All who knew her loved her.
After experiencing a period of medical issues, depression and isolation, Nicole ended her life at the age of 37 on September 19, 2017. Our family will never have the answers to the whys and what ifs. We will never hug our daughter again.
Since Nicole’s tragic death, we have met many other families who have experienced trauma and sadness from the heartbreaking loss of their loved ones. Through the creation of the Gardens of Hope, it is our hope to keep their loved ones’ memories alive and raise suicide awareness.
We thank you for your support.
With gratitude,
Roy and Lucille Ettere
Founders of The Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, Inc.
