Suzy Fest 2017: 'Her music healed our grieving hearts

The collective soul is a powerfully transformative, living thing, deeply rooted in the positive effect of community. It can draw a breath from grief and mourning only to exhale the joyful spirit of charity and remembrance.
On June 17 at the Warwick Valley Winery, we all became part of a collective soul and every note played and sung, every fallen tear and every joyful outburst, was a testament to the love that our dear friend, mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and musical partner —Suzanne Arnowitz, who passed away last September after a long battle with cancer —left us. On that night, her music healed our grieving hearts.
We can’t begin to express the gratitude we feel toward the musicians, the volunteers, the many people who donated time and charitable contributions. Sue’s strength and resilience was due to her unwavering faith that inspired mercy and kindness and in her honor, we have raised $6,000, all of which will be donated to a family in the Warwick community struggling with the effects of a cancer diagnosis.
If there is one note that resonated throughout Suzy Fest it was the perfect pitch of a community coming together to honor one life by supporting another. That is what the collective soul can accomplish. We are proud to be a part of what you all created.
Glenn John Arnowitz and Gerard Mancini
Suzy Fest 2017 organizers