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Printed From Acorn-Online.com Weston Forum
by Patricia Gay
Police have ruled the death of the woman, identified as Lisa Gionis, 48, of Goodhill Road, a suicide. Ms. Gionis was the wife of Tom Gionis and the mother of two sons, Jason, a junior at Weston High School, and Tyler, a college student. Weston police were first notified there was a problem at Bisceglie shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. A man visiting the park to eat lunch informed police that what appeared to be a mannequin was on fire, said Weston Police Chief John Troxell. Officer Joe Mogollon was the first to arrive on the scene and put the fire out. In the process, he discovered it was not a mannequin but a woman’s body that was on fire. When Deputy Fire Chief Joe Abruzzi and volunteers of the Weston Fire Department arrived, the fire was already extinguished. “There was really nothing for the fire department to do at that point,” said Fire Chief John Pokorny. Police believe the victim doused herself with gasoline and set herself on fire with a match. Chief Troxell said the woman was dead and her body appeared to have been on fire for about a half hour before police arrived. “Her body was totally burned except for the feet,” Chief Troxell said. A gasoline container was located near the victim. A vehicle belonging to Ms. Gionis was found at the park; however, positive identification of the body could not be made because it was so badly burned. Chief Troxell called in the state police major crime unit, the state fire marshal’s office, and the state chief medical examiner’s office to conduct a full-fledged investigation into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, a determination of the cause of death, and positive identification of the body. On Friday, May 2, the state chief medical examiner’s office ruled the death a suicide. According to Weston Police Sgt. Mike Ferullo, there was physical evidence at the scene indicating no one else was involved, including proof of only one pair of shoe prints in the area where the victim was found. A suicide note was found at Ms. Gionis’s house, police said. “There was no foul play involved,” said Chief Troxell, who called the method of suicide “unorthodox.” An autopsy conducted by the state determined the cause of death to be smoke inhalation and thermal injury. On Monday, May 5, the victim was positively identified as Lisa Gionis by a state forensic odontologist, through the use of dental charts and X-rays.
Investigation Police say they are working on a background investigation, including a reconstruction of the last 24 hours of Ms. Gionis’s life.
On Friday morning, after news of the event spread to the schools, Rose Marie Cipriano, principal, asked for a moment of silence in memory of Ms. Gionis, who was an active parent volunteer. The schools convened a crisis intervention team to offer counseling services to students and staff who wanted it. “Our sympathy and our prayers are extended to the family,” read a notice sent to parents by Jerome Belair, superintendent of schools. Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss echoed the sentiments of Chief Troxell and Mr. Belair and said his heart went out to the Gionis family. “I also want to thank Rev. Bernard Wilson, our police chaplain, and Sgt. Pat Daubert, who was the sergeant on duty, for their sensitivity in handling a very, very difficult situation,” he said.
Good woman People who knew Lisa Gionis remember her as a good mother, good friend and good neighbor.Her final act was something that was out of character for her, and is not how those who loved her will remember her. “She was a fabulous mother,” said Susan Rosen. “When her sons were in Little League, she never missed a game. She was a very active volunteer in the schools — a class mom who would organize class picnics,” Ms. Rosen said. Ms. Rosen also called Ms. Gionis a wonderful friend. “She loved to get together with her friends and play tennis. She had a big heart. Anytime I needed help, Lisa was there for me,” she said. Kathleen Nusbaum said Ms. Gionis was the ultimate baseball mom. “She was completely devoted to her sons, and was at every ball game, rain or shine,” she said. Ms. Gionis was also a good neighbor. Barbara Levi-Berliner lived next door to her for 19 years. “She was a wonderful neighbor. The type everyone dreams of having. You could call her for a cup of sugar or to take care of your kids for a few minutes. The neighborhood won’t be the same without her,” she said. “Lisa was such a genuine person,” said Wendy Queen, who opened her home this week so friends of Ms. Gionis could come together and share their memories. “She was a nurturer and a tireless human being when it came to giving,” she said. Tom Gionis said his wife was a strong woman, a great mother, and a fantastic wife. “She built a home, raised a family, and supported us unconditionally and unselfishly. If she had a flaw, it was that she gave too much of herself and couldn’t say no,” he said. Ms. Gionis came from a Greek Orthodox family, and her parents were strong and supportive, Mr. Gionis said. “She came from good stock,” he said. Mr. Gionis recounted how his wife rescued a dog from an animal shelter, and then another, and gave them each a good home. “She saved two souls and made their lives better by a thousand percent. She did that to everything she touched,” he said. © Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers |
