Lena Cymbrowitz was a beloved community member. After her passing, her husband, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz wrote this: Lena knew that her passing would be particularly hard for me. We were more than husband and wife. We were best friends, partners, and soulmates. Whenever I would begin to cry she would say, “Hey, you have to be strong, you have to hold everybody together for me!” She knew that she needed to make sure I didn’t wallow in my grief, as she knew I would want to do. Lena and I discussed her wish that I run for her Assembly seat several times. She knew that she had made an impact and wanted me to continue what she started and made me promise that I wouldn’t let her down.
Lena planned everything. She took care of her legal, financial and domestic matters. She took care of her office and made sure that her devoted staff was taken care of. I’m convinced that Lena timed her passing so that the kids would be able to start school without missing too many classes. She timed her passing so that after Shiva I would have only two days to put things in place to run for her seat and less than two weeks to put some sort of campaign together. She wasn’t going to allow me to just sit. Lena knew that her friends would be ready to help. She knew they would be eager to help simply because they would know that was what she wanted.
My beloved Lena, you were so beautiful and I adored you. You were my world…my life…and I will miss you terribly. Please rest assured your family and friends will never let anyone forget you. My sweet Lena, you will be forever in our thoughts and our hearts. I will always love you.
