Longtime St. James Volunteer Remembered

The auxilians and volunteers of St. Catherine of Siena, along with the Smithtown Book Club, recently paid special tribute to long-time volunteer and St. James resident, Johanna de Leyer.

Her bond with the medical center started after she made a promise to God more than 35 years ago when her daughter Anna Marie survived a tragic accident falling from a horse. 

Anna Marie was 14 years  when she was treated for a concussion at the medical center, where she recovered after two months of care. She was in a coma for six weeks and she was always attended by a family member at her bedside. Anna Marie’s mother, Johanna was most faithful that she would recover and when she did, made a promise to God that she would help out with the mission of the church.

She kept that promise and began volunteering at the medical center more than 35 years ago. 

“She will be greatly missed, but because of this thoughtful donation from her friends at the Smithtown Book Club, she will always be a part of the medical center”, said Auxiliary President Dorothy Nunziata.

 Johanna’s daughter, Anna Marie, thanked the group of auxilians and volunteers after the ceremonial planting.