3 Days Left to Vote for 'Superstar Mom of the Year!'

We asked our readers to send their amazing mom stories for Mother’s Day and received some special ones. Think your mom is the best? Send in your story to wendy.mitchell@patch.com. Then vote on which Connecticut mom you think is ‘Superstar Mom of the Year!’

Here’s how to vote:

If you’ve already submitted an article:

1. Go to your town’s Facebook page to vote.
2. Type your mom’s name in the comments section in any of the Mother’s Day articles on your town’s Facebook page.

*Only moms whose names/articles have been published are eligible for voting. To send in your article, please email wendy.mitchell@patch.com by Friday, May 8, 2015. Voting ends Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.

If you haven’t yet submitted an article:

There’s still time! Email answers to the questions below, along with a photo of your mom in the same email, to wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

1. Mother’s name and town.
   
2. Your name and relationship to the nominee.
   
3. Why does your mom rock?

All of our moms below are winners in our book. Which one do you think should win Connecticut ‘Superstar Mom of the Year?’ Here are the submissions, in alphabetical order by town. Click the green links to read more.

Bethany Mother’s Day Superstar: Rhonda Cerritelli

“My mom is awesome because she always puts our needs ahead of hers. ”

Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Alice Lee

“My dad passed in 2011 and ever since she has taken the role of provider. She works doubles as a waitress everyday to make ends meet. She also gives back to the community every chance she gets.”

Clinton Mother’s Day Superstar: Madelyn Kostek

“My mom rocks because she is a good-looking, great-cooking, Harley-riding woman– my biggest supporter, my number one fan, and my best friend.”

Darien Mother’s Day Superstar: Kimberly Karas

“She volunteers at Darien Fire Department and takes care of students as one of the nurses at the Darien High School. Every minute of her life she is taking care of someone else or doing something nice for someone else.“

Darien Mother’s Day Superstar: Michele Tamburri Damberg

“Mom has tirelessly taken care of Grandma...outfitting her house for handicap access...while working long hours running a small, private daycare out of her home. After we found out Grandma had stage 4 cancer, Mom brought Grandma back home so she could die in the peace and comfort of her home, which was sadly on April 13.”

Haddam Mother’s Day Superstar: Audrey Roberts

“My mom raised 3 kids while also taking care of 2 ailing and bedridden parents until their death in the 1990’s. Since then she took over primary care of her brothers, who need a little extra assistance. As if that weren’t enough, she recently retired after over 35 years of exemplary service at the hospital, where she took care of “her guys” and made sure that everything was safe and secure.”

Fairfield Mother’s Day Superstar: Pat Keane

“My mother spent our childhood volunteering at our schools, leading Girl Scout troops, organizing the altar server schedule at our church, working fundraising events, and attending countless meetings all while keeping our house spotless and feeding our family of five every night.”

Farmington Mother’s Day Superstar: Bette Jones

“With my mom, you start at 100 percent perfect and have to prove that wrong. You never have to start at zero and work your way up. All she has ever wanted for any of us is to be happy.”

Farmington Mother’s Day Superstar: Jill Sheely

“Not only did she raise four daughters who have become strong, centered, successful women and mothers, she also has mentored numerous young minds as a teacher.”

Farmington Mother’s Day Superstar: Erica Walker

“She drives [our kids] to a million sporting events, coaches them in sports, takes part in Girl Scouts and even helps encourage my daughter’s friends learn how to play soccer better.”

Guilford Mother’s Day Superstar: Robin Kalfaian

“She has provided us with opportunities to study abroad, explore other countries, attend our dream schools, and overall follow our dreams.”

Ledyard Mother’s Day Superstar: Bonnie Days

“My older brother has Cerebral Palsy and she has been the best advocate for him throughout his 44 years. I have struggled with severe health issues since I was 18 years old, including a kidney transplant and a bilateral lung transplant. My mom has been there supporting me every step of the way.”

Middletown Mother’s Day Superstar: Marybeth Wishart

“She is selfless and generous, has volunteered going on church missions trips, working at the local soup kitchen, and she readily donates items to local organizations in Middletown.”

Middletown Mother’s Day Superstar: Peggy Root

“She just recently overcome a huge obstacle in her life. My mom suffered with depression for two and a half years. I never saw an end to her depression and it really upset me to think I may never have my mom back to her old self. Then over the summer she was admitted to Uconn Hospital and while she was there they got her on the right medicine and has been much better since. She has made such tremendous progress and I’m so proud of her.”

Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Christine Paolucci

“After nearly dying during a terrible miscarriage years ago and developing fibromyalgia as a result... she holds a full time job as a client service representative...a part-time job as a health care worker, is working toward her college degree, manages her parent’s finances and household, and still finds time to spend with her own family.”

Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Gail Perrella

“I was born with Down Syndrome and that was a big surprise for my mom. She handled it with such enthusiasm and has been the rock of our family. ”

Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Kathleen Lattanzi

“She also was a caretaker for many people whom she didn’t know but that she eventually did get to know well by opening and working in a soup kitchen and homeless shelter for years. ”

Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Linda Vincelette

“My mom recently retired from Milford Hospital after 25 years in the pharmacy department so she can help care for my dad who is a disabled Vietnam Veteran. His health had been declining in recent years and she knew she needed to look after him at home.”

Milford Mother’s Day Superstar: Valerie Urban

“She is loving and compassionate with her students. John F. Kennedy Elementary School also feels this way as she has received Para-educator of the year for her ability to be a positive figure in their lives and to help children grow.”

Montville Mother’s Day Superstar: Nancy Decelles

“My mom takes in kids that are having a rough time at their home and she treats them as if they were her own kids.”

Naugatuck Mother’s Day Superstar: Mary Forgues

“She keeps me and my brother playing sports, sponsors kids to play soccer, donates food, teaches me to cook, keeps us healthy. ”

New Canaan Mother’s Day Superstar: Stephanie Kushner

“Besides her strong ties to the community she has been deeply involved in National Charity League, New England Academy of Dance, and New Canaan Soccer Association.”

Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Erica Canfield

“She gives us the greatest advice whenever we need it. And she has always been a phenomenal support system in all of our choices we’ve made. She has inspired us to do our best in school and achieve excellence.”

Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Monica Crone

“Besides taking care of our 5 boys and our home, she is always quick to support friends in need, is a class mom at Trinity Day School, and is always quick to volunteer, whether for football, at Hawley, or just to help a neighbor.”

Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Christine DeVellis

“As the mother of 4 boys and an educator for over 20 years, our mom is the captain of our team. ”

Newtown Mother’s Day Superstar: Michelle Garrity

“she is always putting and thinking about her children’s and family needs before her own. ”

Stonington Mother’s Day Superstar: Carole Johnson

“She is the most caring, supportive, selfless, hardworking mom in the world.”

Tolland Mother’s Day Superstar: Terri Scheidel

“After working 12 hours a day she’s cleaning, cooking, paying bills, taking care of the kids, the yard and everything else, it’s never ending exhaustion. ”

Trumbull Mother’s Day Superstar: Paula Mastrorocco

“Our mother is the most strong, independent, hardworking woman you could ever meet.”

Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Robin Deurloo

“She’s a very caring and generous person. She’s actively involved in the church and spends as much time as she can with my grandmother who is in a nursing home.”

Waterford Mother’s Day Superstar: Kim Wilkinson

“She has the biggest heart and she is the strongest woman I know. She has been through a lot and has stayed sane through it all. ”

West Hartford Mother’s Day Superstar: Amy Jaffe

“In 1996 she co-founded Jonathan’s Dream, one of the nation’s first accessible playgrounds designed for children of all abilities. My mom works tirelessly to help others and ensure that everyone feel included— her family and beyond.“

How to vote:

1. Find any Mother’s Day article link on your town’s Facebook page
2. Type your mom’s name in the comment section below the article link on Facebook (ex: Vote for Mary Smith)
3. The mom with the most likes/votes on Saturday, May 9 at 11:59 p.m. wins!

We’ll post Patch’s ‘Superstar Mom of the Year’ on Connecticut Patch sites on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, 2015.

Photo: Postermywall.com