[Update: FYI, visitation for Lydia Stephen will be held today (3-7 p.m.) and tomorrow (7-9 p.m.) at McKeon Funeral Home, 3129 Perry Ave. The funeral service will be held at Woolworth Chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday at 9 a.m.]
Lydia Stephen, better known as “Nena,” the brave 10-year-old Bronx girl profiled in the Nov. 29-Dec. 12 print edition of the Norwood News, died last night after a long fight against cancer at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. She will be missed. Below are some of the comments generated on this website after we posted her story online. Please feel free to share your thoughts below (or on Facebook) with the community as we mourn the loss of young Nena.
I was just brought to tears by this story of this very courageous little girl. I just love her attitude and her spirit! My love goes out to her and her family. She is a superstar in my book!
–Chandra Chauhan
She is the most loved and best girl ever … And thank u for the comment … She’s my heart my soul … I love u my nena!!
–Camille (her godmother)
From 2004-2009, I worked in the Radiation Oncology Department of the Mount Sinai Medical Center. My heart went out to the cancer patients; especially the children. Despite my experiences there, nevertheless, I cried like a baby while reading this article about Lydia, and then prayed for her, from the depth of my heart. We can all learn so much from Lydia about how to GRACEFULLY rise above life’s difficult circumstances. Is it any small wonder that the Old Testament states in Isaiah that “a child shall lead them…”, and in Matthew in the New Testament, “out of the mouth of babes…” (comes truth and praise)??
Situations like this give us a deeper appreciation of God’s word; a stronger need to lean not to our own understanding, but to trust Him, and believe that while we don’t understand why certain things happen, HE understands and will reveal all, in due time. While I can appreciate the “Warrior Princess” title, I personally believe Lydia is one of God’s “Ministering Angels”, sent to earth to show mankind how to live an abundant life, despite trials and tribulations. She is clearly “healed” in spirit, though not “cured” in body (yet?). May each and every one of us purpose in our hearts to keep the “Spirit of Nena” alive by striving to maintain a positive outlook, each and every day we are blessed to be on this earth. Lydia, I send you ALL my love and prayers. This is only my second time replying online, but I had to write to THANK YOU for sharing your strength and faith with the world. Blessings hermanita!!
— Margaret Williams
I just wanted to send you our prayers Marty and I cried reading this article I remember meeting Lydia when she was born she and my daughter use to play together we are all praying for you Lydia God Bless you little beautiful angel❤
–Mimi
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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I would love to attend the funeral if possible. Can you please inform us of the place, time & date. If it’s private, I understand that too. Thanks so much!
God Bless you Lydia,I was just reading the article last night and her story, her courage and her outlook to life made me want to meet lydia.Not knowing she had already made her way to the angels.Lydia you are truly an Angel and the only justification for your lost was that god was in need of an Angel. God bless “Warrior Prinicess”
my nenabean alway brought the joy out of me &everyone else. she always remained positive no matter the situation. god put this little girl into my life for a reason, &made sure that i will learn from her. i never appreciated life &those in the way i do now. my little girl changed my perspective &im glad it was her! she learned from me &i definitely learned from her. i love you beautiful &im missing you ever second, ill do anything ti hear half your breath again ! rest in peace beautiful<3
I DID’NT KNOW HER OR HER FAMILY PERSONALLY BUT I AM FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND REMEMBER ALWAYS SEEING HER AND HER SIBLINGS IN THE PARK. MAY THE FAMILY GET STRENGTH TO STRUGGLE WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVE ONE. THIS HAS BROKE MY HEART IN PIECES, IN MY EYES I SAW A STRONG BRAVE GIRL. REST IN PEACE BABYGIRL.